When Someone I Love Is Sick

Devotional

When somebody you love gets sick, the whole house changes.

People talk quieter. Regular stuff stops happening. Somebody's always on the phone in the other room. And you can tell the grown-ups are worried even when they say they're fine.

Sickness is scary because you can't do anything about it. You can't try harder and make somebody better. You can't argue with it. You're standing in front of something huge and all you want is for that person to be okay.

God sees you standing there. He isn't looking somewhere else.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

That word "present" is the one to hold onto. It means God isn't off handling bigger problems somewhere.

He's in the hospital room. He's at your kitchen table while everybody waits for news. He's next to your bed when you're too scared to fall asleep.

And you can bring the scared part straight to Jesus.

He said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Notice he didn't say come once you've calmed down. He said come *because* you're tired and carrying something heavy. Being scared for somebody you love is exactly what he's talking about.

He also said something about himself right there: "I am gentle and lowly in heart." That's how he is with you. Gentle. He's not going to be annoyed that you're upset.

Now I want to tell you something true, because you can handle true things.

God can heal people. He's done it lots of times and he still does it.

But sometimes he doesn't heal the way we ask. Sometimes it takes a long time. And sometimes the person we love doesn't get better here.

That's one of the hardest parts of living in a world that's broken. It's okay to be sad about that. It's okay to be confused and even mad about it. You can tell God that too.

But here's what doesn't change: God promised to be with you through it. He never promised the road would be easy. He promised he'd walk it.

And there's a day coming when sickness is gone for good. No more hospitals. No more scared kids lying awake. Jesus already beat death when he came out of the grave, so that day is definitely coming.

Until then, here's what you can do.

Pray. The Bible says, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray." Pray for that person. Pray for the doctors. Pray for yourself, because how you're feeling matters to God too.

And let people help you. Tell somebody how you're doing. Tell your church.

You don't have to carry this quietly.

He's gentle. He's strong.

And he's holding both of you.