302 – The Plague has Struck Our House

#faithbites #faithjourney plague

Want a good sign that the seasons are changing in Illinois? Look for the sick kids. The awesome thing about sick kids is they just want to cuddle their parents. Snuggles, love, and compassion are commonplace in our house. So is passing the plague from one to the next. So far, it’s just me, my wife hasn’t gotten it yet. When sick, I often wonder how much mucous one nose can produce. The answer is more than you want.

What strikes me as interesting is how different people react when sick. Some like my spouse and my children, just want to be babied, snuggled and waited on. Me on the other hand, I just want to sleep and to be left alone. A nice bowl of soup delivered to me would be nice, but I digress.

We tell people when we are physically sick. Some, like me, even share when we are mentally ill. Very few share when we are spiritually sick. Our spirits get the plague as well, and it is very easy to spread.

Scripture

• A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? – Proverbs 18:14
• And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. – Matthew 9:35
• Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. – 3 John 1:2

Reflection

Those who know the story of Jesus, know of the miracles he and the disciples performed. They went from village to village and town to town, curing the sick, healing the wounded, and spreading the Good News. Some were healed spiritually as their bodies were also healed. Some like the old man who said he could see but men were looking like trees, needed more Jesus. (Mark 8:24).

I have days when my body is weak but my spirit soars. I have other days when both are weak. Still others and I’m hoping they outnumber the others, when both my body and spirit rise up. The funny thing is, I know that even when my body crumbles, my spirit will endure. The other way usually doesn’t work. You may have a good body, but if there is no belief, what is the purpose?

In this crazy world, I look to build up my spirit and the spirit of those around me through Jesus. Then we can all bear together the plague of our world both medical and physical.

Charge

Think about your body. Is it healthy? Is it strong? Do you suffer from any maladies? Then think about your spirit. Is your spirit healthy? Is your spirit strong? What steps can you take to ensure your spirit is always strong? Take one day at a time.

Lord, heal my body and my family’s bodies. Let this sickness leave us. Help us to always follow you and be strong of spirit. Show us the way to endure anything this world throws at us through your love and example.