What to Do When Healing Doesn't Come

JAMES R. HALL

 

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People who live with chronic illness or physical challenges need compassion, not condemnation. 

Some folks are born with disabilities; others of us become disabled later in life. In my case, I was almost 40 years old when my life took a surprising and challenging detour into chronic illness and disability.

I had been diagnosed with diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure several years before that time but had enjoyed fairly decent health. Then the bottom started dropping out.

I developed a myriad of complications from the diabetes. A head injury sustained in an accident caused a vision disorder that made it impossible for me to safely drive a car on a highway or interstate. I was diagnosed with primary immune deficiency, a disorder that made me sick with various kinds of viral or bacterial infections almost constantly.

The Defeat of Disease and Death

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.' Matthew 8:16-17

My friend Skip and I are the same age, plus he broke his neck the same day I did. What's more, his diving accident also occurred in the Chesapeake Bay! I dove into the Maryland side of the bay; he, the Virginia side. You can see why I've always felt a special kinship with Skip. And my heart broke when I learned he died from complications connected with his quadriplegia. It made me angry at death and disease!

At the same time, I felt a sense of joy. Christ defeated death and disease by taking them with Him to the grave. God's judgment on the sin which ushered disease into the world was endured by Jesus when He died. The prophet Isaiah explained, "He was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5). The horrible blows on Jesus' back purchased a world without disease - that world is still in the future, but it's coming soon (Romans 8:23-24). And Skip and I can't wait!

                         

Gardasil: Is It Safe?

By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.

Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, is back in the news. Did it really ever leave? This drug has been very controversial largely because of the major push by its manufacturer, Merck and Co., to make it mandatory for young women. As many as 39 state legislators are considering the vaccine as a requirement for school-age girls in much the same way that MMR immunization is now required.