“We don’t lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Cor.4:16). “Jesus will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Phil.3:21). “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps.73:26).
Lord Jesus, many friends are struggling with health challenges, body aches, and physical maladies—including my best friend, Darlene my wife. First of all, thank you for the gift of lament. The Gospel doesn’t make us less human, but more so. Tears are the evidence of faith, not its absence.
Quite honestly, Jesus, an eternity of perfect health is looking better than ever. Hallelujah… our healing will be complete, and we’ll never experience any form of sickness and pain. No more cancer, poison ivy, or blurry vision; no joint aches, heart aches, or even hang nails; no more or memory loss, stenosis, or need to say, “It’s just a cold.”
Jesus, thank you for not only securing the absence of evil and the perfection of our spirits, but also the resurrection of our bodies. Even as you were raised from the dead; so shall we be. We groan now, but we’ll be whole and dance forever. These “light and momentary troubles” (2 Cor.4:17-18) are incredibly inconvenient, bothersome, but have an eternal expiration date.
Until that Day, we’ll take care of ourselves, Jesus, and trust you for healing, health, and sufficient grace (2 Cor.12:8-10). By the power of your Spirit, help us steward our suffering, grow in our compassion for others, and experience daily renewal in the Gospel. It won’t be long before everything is “put right” and forever new. Thank you, and So Very Amen.
