Why They Had Health Afflictions

Bill Brinkworth

Everyone goes through trials, including health problems, for different reasons. Man can curse and unrightly blame God for his trials, but God always has another reason for allowing different tribulations to occur in one's life.

Here are the health problems different biblical characters faced and how they were benefited:

Paul had an unspecified health problem so he would have to trust God for His help to get through the difficulty.
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” II Cor. 12:9
Read also: I Peter 5:10.

Job went through many trials and tribulations, including health problems.  God allowed Satan to inflict Job with health problems, so that Satan would see Job was faithful to God; not just because God blessed Job’s life.

Sometimes health problems are a witness to others, so they can observe how a Christian goes through trials.
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. . . 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. 7  So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” Job 2:3-7

The author of Psalms 119, most likely David, learned more about God’s Word when going through afflictions.
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Psalm 119:71

Some have health afflictions, not because of any sin they have committed, but so God can get the glory and the credit, when the person is healed.
“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” John 9:1-3
When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” John 11:4

A centurion’s servant was sick; so that the centurion had an opportunity to exercise his faith, when he trusted Jesus to heal his sick helper.
“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. . . . 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. . . .  13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” Mat. 8:5-13

Some have health problems because of unconfessed sin. In this case, it was partaking of the Lord’s Supper without confessing their sins to God.
“After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” I Cor. 11:26-30

We are usually closest to God, when we need Him the most. That is usually when our prayer life is the strongest.”

This article was featured in The Bible View #525.

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