I’ve had some blogger’s block recently. I think I’ve been resisting writing on a topic I’m “supposed” to discuss, but I’d rather avoid. I am not afraid of controversy. I’ll mix it up when necessary, but just mentioning this issue may be painful to some who are suffering. You’ll understand what I mean.
First, some background. After one of my blog entries, “Getting What you Deserve,” I received a comment that basically said some doctors and a pastor were researching the connection between cancer and bitterness. The “evidence” presented was that bitterness almost always caused cancer in certain areas of the body, all directly related to the target of the person’s bitterness. Normally, I would write off such a quacky and cruel notion, but I recently encountered this concept again in another variation, so I feel compelled to address it here. I’ll stick with God’s “research.” It’s conveniently packaged in the Bible.
Let’s start with Job (his story is found in the book of Job in the Old Testament). Though his life was examined with great scrutiny by demons and the Divine, the Lord declared him righteous. So why then did Job soon find himself battling a severe skin condition that covered him with painful boils? It’s undeniable – Job’s poor health had no connection with bitterness or secret sin. For days his friends displayed mock compassion by sitting silently with him, ostensibly to “earn the right” to rip him to pieces. They ultimately revealed their judgmental hearts by accusing him of secret sins. They begged him to open his eyes. God was surely punishing him for something. In the end, God rebuked those “friends” for their uninformed cruelty. Job’s story should forever cause us to withhold spoken or unspoken accusations on the roots of others suffering. Yet there’s more…
Judgmental thinking about the exact roots of sickness was pervasive in Jesus’ day as well. The gospel of John reveals how Jesus corrected this tendency to view suffering as retribution.
John 9:1-3 – As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
Amazingly, this question was not posed by a pagan crowd or the judgmental Pharisees, but by Jesus’ loyal followers. This shows how deeply ingrained this teaching was in the minds of even the “spiritual” folks. To them, blindness was a direct punishment for sin – case closed. The only question was whose sin was being punished. Since this man had been blind from birth, the disciples wondered if perhaps one could sin in the womb. If pre-birth sin was ruled out, they reasoned the man’s parents must have sinned and were being punished. Jesus turns the whole argument on its head by stating that this blindness was not a punishment at all, but rather an opportunity for God to show off His glory. More still…
The apostle, Paul, had a serious eye condition that apparently necessitated seeking treatment in Galatia. Bible students might believe Paul traveled there to plant a church, but that was not at all Paul’s initial intent.
Galatians 4:13-15 – But you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
Fortunately for the Galatians, they did not assume Paul’s illness was a punishment for sin. Had they judged and resisted him, they would have missed their opportunity to embrace Paul and his eternal message of the grace and love of Jesus Christ. There’s more, but for another blog post.
I am a huge fan of letting go of bitterness, and turning from secret sin. We should always examine our lives and deal with sin, whether we’re sick or healthy. But please beware of linking other people’s sickness to their sin. God has demonstrated that He uses sickness to forge relationships and to show off His glory! Leave judgments to Him. If God’s policy was to punish all sin with sickness, we’d all live in a hospital!
Praise The Lord! Joe, after reading your book I found it to be encouraging, interesting, hope giving and funny(smile). I know that this book will continue to be a blessing to everyone who gets the opportunity to read it. God Bless.