In Sickness and In Health

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. – 2 Corinthians 4:16‭-‬18 NLT
I’ve been sick for a week now. Worn down physically, out of work, even a short bit of activity leaves me drained. Sinus pressure, yuck sealing my eye lids closed,  blowing and coughing and hacking up all kinds of combinations of mucus, blood, etc. I haven’t been studying and sharing and teaching like I usually do because I am sleeping, resting, recovering. 
Yes, this old body is in its process of dying. But my spirit is being renewed every day. So even in times of sickness and weakness, even when I appear on the outside to be the most frail and exposed to the elements and circumstances of this world,  I lift up praise to my God, to the LORD, to the God of Abraham,  Isaac, Jacob,  and Joseph, to the God who came in the flesh to die on the cross as the perfect, blameless blood sacrifice necessary to pay for my sin, and as the example of the first raised to eternal life, and as the anointing spirit that comes and lives in the hearts and lives of those who believe and are called according to His purpose.
Sickness is a small struggle in comparison to what He went through on the cross, so I lift my praise while I still have breath in my lungs to sing. 
We didn’t go to church today because I am sick. But we still got together and watched a sermon together as a family. We still prayed together. We will sing his praises throughout our day today – as much as our bodies will allow. But we will also understand that there are times of rest and recovery that are necessary for these weak and failing bodies. 
We are no so much worried about exercising our outward bodies, building up muscles and healthy flesh for the world to see and admire with their eyes – but seeing our hearts renewed by Christ who lives in us. So if we must be sick at all, let it be in our flesh and not in our hearts, knowing which of the two is eternal and which is perishing. 

LORD, fix our eyes on those things eternal and truly valuable, and may the veil of this world be lifted from our eyes to walk in the spirit of truth and love. See that we run this race to its completion, see that your mercy is triumphed in the lives of the believer. LORD, remember me. Have mercy on me and lead me in your way. LORD, have mercy upon those who do not know what they do, and discipline those who do know. Teach us that it is not our own conscience that dictates sin, but your will and your Word that never changes. Do not let us do what is right in our own eyes, but teach us to do what is right in the eyes of God. Reconcile our lives to your holy service for your name’s sake and for your glory and honor. Thank you,  LORD, for loving even me, and sticking with me through sickness and in health, through rich and poor, for all the days of my life. Amen.