Do not measure the power of God by the present sight. He who endured death to overcome death itself now stands in the midst of this affliction. This sickness has no strength to injure the soul that holds fast to Christ. When illness strikes a body, we often seek only to flee from it, as though it could truly harm us. Yet the light shines brightest in the darkness of error and suffering, and a thing is precious not when it remains untested, but when, having been tried, it shows forth abundant fruit.
This trial is a divine medicine. The physician applies many remedies, and though no benefit appears at first, afterwards the cure comes all at once. The ten blows of the axe seem to do nothing to the tree, but the final stroke brings it down because of all that went before. This sickness is not unto death for her soul, but for the glory of God, that her endurance might be the means of strengthening many. Let her not cast away her confidence, for it has great recompense of reward. To hold fast what God has given requires less labor than to recover it after it is lost. She has it even now, this beautiful and unspotted life that is true old age, no matter the number of her years.
What the world calls vile and weak, God often makes the vessel of exceeding continence and power. The woman once destined for the stage could not be dragged back to it by soldiers, so strong had her soul become through discipline. This young mother, standing upon the stage of her own sickbed, preaches a sermon more powerful than any words. Her husband and children see a living martyrdom, a soul that refuses to betray the truth of God’s goodness. Let them not fix their eyes on the disease, but on the boldness of spirit that stops the mouths of the tempter’s accusations. This is the table of the Lord, not of degraded beings; partake of it with conscience and strength.
For when one bears losses thankfully, the reward is far greater than the thing lost. Job wrestled nobly, and only after the devil was shown that righteousness serves God for His own sake alone did God restore all things. So too here, if restoration comes, it is a gift beyond measure. If her soul is called to the ineffable mysteries before the body is healed, the eternal prize is no less. No virtuous action reaches its full height unless it distributes its benefit to others. Her endurance becomes nourishment for her husband’s strength, a covering for her little ones, a light to this whole church. The rack and torment the enemy intends become the very instruments of glory.
Therefore, pray without ceasing, but let your prayer be this: that she and all who love her may not cast away that bold confidence which is the substance of things hoped for. Do not yawn or grow drowsy in this hour, but stand like those who, heedless of rain and cold, fix their gaze on the eternal prize. The gain at stake is her own soul, and the souls of those who witness her constancy. He that has ears to hear, let him hear. The word of God is not bound by a hospital room. Even at the vestibule of hell itself, it is possible to recover, to renew strength, to lay hold on eternal life. Let her hold fast. Let her husband hold fast. Let these children see that the light shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.