Every now and again we all get sick. Whether it's the common cold or something more serious, being ill often means shutting ourselves off from the outside world for a limited period of time. During this period of self-imposed (or doctor ordered) quarantine, most of us long for the presence of another being. I'm convinced that it doesn't matter how old you get, when you're feeling under the weather, you always want someone to take care of you. But sometimes we just want someone by our side as we do our best to overcome the sniffles or battle with a bellyache.
Aside from prescribed medication or over the counter remedies, each of us has our own special comforts that we cling to when we're feeling unwell. Yours might be an extra warm blanket and an endless supply of hot drinks or your favourite film and a big batch of homemade soup. (Or maybe it's all four!)
Something that should make it into all of our recovery kits is the Bible, or at least some verses. Whether you've got lots of people looking after you, just the one or none at all, you can always count on God's word to accompany you as you fight your way back to full health.
Does the Bible make it anywhere onto your list of essential items during an illness? Well, these verses prove why it should.
James 5:14-16 - Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Psalm 41:1-3 - Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.
Exodus 23:25 - Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.
Acts 28:8 - His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him.
Psalm 6:2 - Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
Mark 2:17 - On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Romans 5:3-5 - Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Psalm 103:2-4 - Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.
