Why Am I Sick? Reason #2: For Testing and/or Instruction

Would God Really Use My Sickness to Test Me?

Yes! Suffering can be for our testing and/or instruction. We can see the biblical evidence to support this idea in the suffering of Job and the thorn in Paul's flesh.

Example 1: Job

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.

Job was a man who was upright, yet God allowed him to endure great suffering. With permission from God, Job lost his children, his wealth, and his health at the hand of Satan.

Why did God allow this? One reason that God allowed it was for the sake of Job’s testing. Job was tested much farther than anyone I know, save Christ, yet he never cursed God (even at his wife’s suggestion).

Secondly, God was able to further instruct Job as to His greatness (This is a reminder of our first reason for suffering: for God’s glory). From Job chapter 38 through chapter 41, God instructs Job and highly exalts Himself. After hearing from God, Job is left speechless as he compares his suffering with God’s greatness. I would strongly recommend reading the book of Job, particular chapters 38-41.

After Job's suffering, God restores his fortune, health, and family. Job is an excellent example of why some people are sick and suffering - for the sake of testing and instruction.

Example 2: Paul

Paul’s thorn in the flesh, discussed in II Corinthians 12:7-9, is another example of suffering for the sake of instruction.  Paul had received many great revelations directly from God and was therefore prone to the sin of pride. God loved Paul and desired for him to remain humble in the sight of God and man. God allowed Paul to receive a “thorn in the flesh” for the sake of keeping him humble.

Though the Bible does not tell us the exact nature of Paul’s “thorn,” we do know that it caused him great suffering. Paul asked the Lord three times to remove this “problem.” Three times God said, "No" and finally instructed Paul in this way, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."

Suffering and illness can be for our testing or instruction. We should seek the Lord of heaven to see if He is trying to test our devotion or teach us something through our illnesses.

Some questions we should ask ourselves:

Am I blaming God for my condition? Am I angry with Him? Do I feel that God doesn’t love me? Do I complain about my illness? Do I use my health as an excuse to be unkind to others?

Perhaps God is using your illness to test, refine, or instruct you. Did you answer “yes” to any of the above questions? I know I have been guilty of the the above at times. These are probably weaknesses with most people. If they are not your weaknesses, then praise God! When we fall into the sin of complaining against God, we need to repent. He will forgive us.

Never lose sight of God’s love, no matter how much you may suffer. Examine if your suffering may be for the sake of testing, refinement, and/or instruction.

Next: Why Am I Sick? Reason #3: For Judgment Against Sin

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