Sickness and Spirituality.
February 21, 2008 – 5:43 amI know there are probably books written about the spiritual effects of sickness, so for what it is worth, do not take my musing too seriously.
Tuesday morning I had an early appointment. I woke up a little sore, but had been running around with the kids on Monday. So, I thought, “That’s odd, I didn’t think I was playing that hard. Oh well.”
Then on my way home from my appointment I noticed that I didn’t feel right. Got home - took my temperature - whammy FEVER! It got worse and worse as the day progress. My fever hovered around 102 all night. The next morning I made a doctor’s appointment. Went to the doctors and was told I have the flu.
Where is the problem with spirituality, one might ask? Well, that’s it - it seems to be missing. I felt terrible and am realizing today that I missed my devotional time, didn’t really pray, I was grumpy with my kids and wife, and as far as work was concerned I did what I needed to do because I was scheduled to preach Wednesday night. Yet, I displayed awesome stewardship as I smiled and wrote my check to the doctor and pharmacy forking out $120 for the office visit ($20) and medication (2 prescriptions at $50 each - yes our conference has a health plan that includes prescriptions and it cost about $16,000 for us - crazy, I know).
When my wife and/or children is/are sick I pray for them and coddle them (although I was reminded the last time there was an illness in the house I was well short of coddling). When others I know are sick I pray for them. Yet, this time for me the short-term effect was absence of spiritual time.
I wonder if others have had similar experiences with short-term sickness. I feel better today, but still not quite right.
Tags: Random Thoughts
2 Responses to “Sickness and Spirituality.”
Joe
Without a doubt I have been there. When I am feeling bad physically if I am not very careful it taps into my spiritual well being as well.
When I experience it, I just remember all the time I preach on the fact that God is a God of the whole person. Body, Spirit, and mind. Each aspect needs to be healthy.
By LArry on Feb 21, 2008
Hi Joe, I’ve suffered from the same phenomenon. I use to be really good about maintaining my spiritual disciplines no matter what. I remember one time when… well, never mind, I’ll spare the details. I always feel and act better when I do them, though.
By klh on Feb 21, 2008