I’ve always thought that being sick was for dogs. But then again, I don’t think our four-legged friends would want to be sick either.
It’s infuriating not feeling good especially when my illness warrants a visit to my GP only to be told, “It’s a virus, you will have to wait it out.” As I sat on the little bench in the exam room, I was wondering who gave me this stupid virus.
It all started with that grating sore throat that wouldn’t go away no matter how much vitamin C and Zinc I dumped into my body. Then the dreaded nasal drainage with the start of using the white tissue reminding me how thankful I was to have stocked up on Kleenex.
The next morning, I knew it was all over and I was down for the count when I woke up with a head that felt like a balloon inflated to its maximum stretch making me feel like my cranium was floating around without a purpose.
The most poetical thing in the world is not being sick. – G.K. Chesterton
Oh, the misery. Maybe I had run myself down and opened myself up to a virus that has been plaguing others. Whatever it was, I wasn’t leaving the house anytime soon.
On the fourth day into this sickness the most interesting thing happened. As I spoke this low gravelly sound emitted from the depths of my throat like Lauren Bacall had taken over my body. I envisioned myself poised with my hand upside down gracefully holding an extender with a cigarette on the end creating a small swirl of smoke like I was in the middle of an interview. “Darling, it’s been such a long time since we’ve talked.”
Needless to say, I wouldn’t have been able to give very many interviews if I was a movie star because I then lost my voice.
I remember not too long ago thinking I was tired and wished I had some vacation time to rest. Well, I got my wish. It wasn’t what I envisioned but God saw fit to have me quiet and resting along with rebuilding my immune system.
I find it fascinating that God doesn’t always give me what I envision, but what I do get is always infinitely better.
Have you ever experienced that? I bet you have. It happens to me a lot. Many times, I don’t have the full picture of my circumstance but thank goodness God does and knows exactly what I need.
Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck. – Dalai Lama
Over the years I have learned to just “roll with it”. In my younger years I would get irritated with God because my situation was not turning out how I thought it should be. It was like having an arm wrestle with God. Ha! Imagine God sitting across the table with a slight smile and humor in his eyes as he extends his forearm and opens his hand waiting for me to do the same. Then we clasp hands, and the countdown sounds off, “Three, Two, One.”
As I thrust all the strength I got, God allows my strong will to push his arm back just enough to let me blow off some steam and energy. Then slowly God pushes my arm back as I struggle to gain the ground I just lost. My free arm moves to reach the end of the table for leverage, but I see God raise his eyebrows and cock his head to the side. Yeah, He’s right, that’s cheating.
I feel the heat emanating from my face and drops of sweat making rivets of rivers down my hair line. Gosh this is hard. Why am I fighting Him?
The resistance lessens and I look up at Him. Once He’s got my attention He says, “Are you ready to listen to Me and follow My lead?”
Of course, I would finally give up and say yes. After playing this game with God many times thank goodness I have wised up with my age. It’s not that He doesn’t want to give me what I desire, He wants me to succeed in a big way and my way was never going to accomplish that.
Psalm 20:4 – May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
As I write this blog, I am still sick but getting better. I don’t see the full picture of this being ill but usually God extends the benefits into the future. Someday something will happen then God will reveal to me, “Yup that is from when you were sick so that this could happen today. I’ve always had your best interest at hand.”
None of us know the full extent of God’s plan. How could we, we can’t even think like God. So, when you find yourself in a situation that’s not going to your plan, stop the arm wrestle with God and follow Him. You will never be disappointed.
Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
Gwen
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