What do you say to someone who is dealing with the sickness of a loved one?  How do we minister to them who suffered the loss of a brother/son from the same illness not long ago?  What do “we” do?

I started just to stop there and let everyone else answer because I don’t really know the answers to all the questions about sickness.  However, there are a few things that I do know which “I” will hang onto during this difficult time.

I was talking to a dear friend one time who suffered much abuse as a child.  This lady is so dedicated to the Lord and is such an inspiration to me.  I asked her how she reconciled everything that happened to her as a child with the love of God.  She plainly told me its what you CHOOSE.  She could have chosen to live her life in resentment and anger but instead she chose to accept the love of God.  You see, it was not God who abused her, it was satan.  The abusers chose to serve evil.  All of those around her chose to eat off of satan’s plate and she suffered.  Our actions not only affect our circumstances but those around us.  When we serve evil and receive evil; we also give evil.  Instead of continuing to receive the afflictions of the devil, she made a choice to receive the mercy of God.  She received His mercy and glorifies His Grace today by disciplining to women.

So my friend “chose” to receive God’s mercy.  What about sickness?  What about the young?  What about families who have suffered loss and affliction?  Why?  Jeremiah 33:6 “Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.”    This is very black and white to the spiritually discerned but is foolishness to the natural mind.  This is the Word of God; this is the ONLY truth.  God brings health not sickness.  Any sickness we or our loved ones encounter are not from God.  If we believe the Word of God we cannot blame God.  We may not always understand but God says in 3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  The enemies attacks are against ALL of us; the weak, the strong, the vulnerable, the faithful and unfaithful.  We are all attacked.  Satan will attack us and/or our loved ones but we must choose.  We must choose God’s mercy.  We must allow Him to use our weakness for His glory.  If we choose fear, bitterness and anger God cannot act.

Today I choose to put my stepfather Buddy and my Aunt Brenda before the throne of God for His Mercy.  I choose to lift up the mantle of faith of our family and praise God in the face of the enemy.  I pray for God to make His presence known in the operating room this morning with my aunt and in the waiting room with the family.  I pray for healing, peace and comfort for both Buddy and Brenda.  I praise God for the gift of Buddy and Brenda in my life and thank Him for allowing me to see His glory in and through their life.  As odd as this may sound and as sick as they may be, I know that through Him they are strong.  I know that they too are His children.  I know, that I know that God gives strength, peace and love to all who choose to receive.  Even though I may not understand it all, I am in a sense excited to see God go to work during this time.  2 Cor. 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Let’s all praise God and lift up the mantle of faith among all who believe and pray  strength, courage, wisdom and knowledge for the many families who are under attack. God is the giver of life and satan tries to destroy.  Draw the Bloodline of Jesus and Satan cannot cross It.   Be bold in your declaration of faith and allow God to be God.  None of us can defeat the afflictions of satan with out the blood of Jesus covering us.  Plead the Blood and praise the Lord!  – Donna Warren