He peered at his body with seething resentment. It looked normal on the outside, but it continually failed on the inside. His thoughts helplessly wondered if everything would be okay. What if it was bigger than the strength within him?
Health is a topic that I have avoided due to all the controversies, but I shouldn’t. Many of us struggle with issues that we are too afraid to discuss with Jesus. It feels wrong to complain about His design, but it is hard to avoid when it refuses to love us.
This post isn’t about choosing the correct diet or suitable lifestyle. It’s about overcoming the spiritual battle that comes along with it.
Finding Joy in a Broken Vessel
When we’re overwhelmed with the stress of our inwards (or outwards), we have to remember that despite our similar anatomical structures, all of us are created uniquely. Sometimes our bodies fail us. They are supposed to work one way, yet we receive another.
The enemy loves to use those worldly malfunctions for his own good, veering our eyes off of Jesus. But our issues should remind us of our eternal home.
Health problems are major problems. It would be crazy not to be scared or worried. It would be even crazier not to strive to fix the problems, if possible.
However, we must remember that when a problem has no solution, God has not left us. Our body failures are not a sign of God failing us. They are a sign that we are not meant to be here forever. Yes, our earthly bodies are only the first step. There is something beyond this life. Either heaven or hell.
Sometimes all we can do is worry about what we CAN fix about our health. After all, we should strive for the healthiest versions of ourselves so that we can act upon what God is calling us to do.
But when it is not fixable (paralyzation, type 1 diabetes, infertility, etc.), we must remember that God can turn the bad into good. He can use it! Maybe to encourage/save one person or a thousand. It isn’t for us to know the amount; it’s for us to give over to Him.
I know it hurts right now. You want to scream at the top of your lungs. You want to stop sinking in the endless confusion of poor health. Though, because of the truths above, it’s possible to find joy in a broken vessel. A reason to give thanks.
Enduring the Battle
It’s hard to look beyond the storm, but if we did… We would see God holding our souls together. Job’s story illustrates how such hardships can influence a closer-knit relationship—the ultimate kind of intimacy that we need.
By causing suffer, Satan tempted him into blaspheming the Lord, and God allowed it. (Note: God did NOT cause it.) Why didn’t God stop it from happening? Like many trials, we don’t know the reasoning behind them. However, we certainly know that God doesn’t allow more than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:1-13). He also understands our pain and will eventually put an end to all of it.
If we want to glorify the Lord with our broken bodies, we should cling to the beautiful purpose God creates from brokenness. We should speak out, steering the aching person back to hope.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
James 1:16-18 (CSB)
Conclusion
Rest. Press forward. Rest again.
Take it one step at a time. Our Divine Creator sculpted our bodies to fight for us 24/7. He didn’t create the flaws (we can blame other things for that), but He can use them to glorify His Kingdom.
Step into a new perspective. One that allows God’s love to wash over the emptiness, restoring what is broken. Healing may never come to your body, but it will always greet your spirit. You just have to accept it.
Sunshine in the Haze 
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