Daily Devotionals by Ardith Keef

     There are many things that cause distress that do not deserve attention. 
     One of them is physical discomfort or illness .  Yes, I realize we must be stewards of
the physical body, but that means handling it with wisdom rather than fear.
      The reason I am mentioning this tonight is the clear teaching in God's Word
that is encapsulated in Paul's statement: "I will take pleasure in. . . infirmities. . . "
     The Lord does not make masochists of His Own, but He does train us to pay
attention to the things that are important.  Unfortunately, most of us take ourselves
so seriously that when we are ill or weak, it is the most predominate condition in
our list of priorities.
      Illness presents a false sense of inability and most people are afraid of being 
sick. 
     We are told the prayer of faith will heal the sick and we also know that God heals
and often.  But there are many times when He chooses not to heal us, and after we have 
asked, we must get about the business of ministry.  He is able to minister through us
just as much, if not more, when we are sick than when we are well.
     When we are sick, everything is different.  The Lord loves to radiate against this 
backdrop of trial, and when His Servants submit, they become free of the sting.
     Soldier, whether well or ill, attend to others with all you have.  People are often 
afraid of even small aches and pains and minor illness, but, oh, Soldier of the Cross! 
What is it to you?  Whose body is it anyway?  Didn't you tell Him He could have you?
     What a remarkable thing to realize we have been "set free and put in a large 
place: and nothing can interfere with the flow of heaven in our lives unless we let it.