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I'm Glad I Was Sick
Bible study on benefiting from trials.

Like many of you, I got the stomach virus that's going around this year. After I began to feel better, I began to wonder what good could come from the sickening experience.

Count It All Joy
It's hard to be happy about being sick when you can't eat. And frankly, I didn't think about it until the worst had past.

One of the Scriptures that eventually came to mind was, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (Jas. 1:2).

In the grand scheme of world events, a stomach virus is nothing. But it's an event that can make you a better Christian or a worse Christian. As God's children, we should use it to bring about something good, rather than view it as a negative experience.

All Things Work Together For Good
While going through the worst of the illness, it's hard to think anything good can come from the experience.

But God causes all things to work together for good to those who love the Lord (Rom. 8:28). When we start to feel better, we should start looking for specific ways we can become better Christians from experiencing the illness.

Rejoice Always
When we chose to use an illness for good, we can view it positively rather than negatively, deciding to rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4).

So we rejoice as Paul commands, "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint . . ." (Rom. 5:3-5).

It Makes Us More Compassionate and Sympathetic
Besides losing the five pounds I've been trying to shed for eighteen months, I found that I became more compassionate and better able to sympathize with people.

As God's children, we're to be compassionate to others. Paul says, "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion . . ." (Col. 3:12).

When we experience trials, it reminds us of the difficulties other people experience. Even if our affliction is relatively small, experiencing trials makes us more compassionate and sympathetic toward others.

It Makes Us More Humble
Sitting around the house, unable to do much more than watch TV and sleep, is a humbling experience.

We are reminded of the human body's frailties. We have no control over bodily ailments; rather, we totally depend upon God.

Humility is the most important virtue we possess. The Bible says, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5). "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you" (Jas. 4:6). "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:6-7).

It Makes Us Pray More
People naturally pray more when they're sick. But as Christians, we're specifically commanded to pray when struck with illness -- "Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray" (Jas. 5:13a).

Spending more time praying while sick reminds us of the effectiveness of prayer, especially after we're well. "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (Jas. 5:16).

And we're reminded how important it is to pray. "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing" (1 Th. 5:16-17). "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:6-7).

It Makes Us Review Our Lives
Sometimes, God chastens us with trials. So it's good to take stock of our lives when we're sick, to see if we're living the way God commands.

To the Hebrews Paul said, "You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom he receives.' It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline" (Heb. 12:4-7)?

While we're reviewing our lives regarding God's commands, it's also good to think about the road we're on as Christians. Life is like a "vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (Jas. 4:14). We need to be sure we're making the most of our time, and not squandering our days upon the earth (Eph. 5:16).

A Good Reminder
Enduring an illness reminds us that serving God is the most important thing in life. Life is short and can end at any time. We must serve God today, because tomorrow may never come.

We're also reminded that Christians must endure trials, counting it all joy, rejoicing always in the Lord, knowing that all things work together for those who love the Lord.