No, sickness is not part of God’s original plan. When God created the world, there was no sickness, pain or death. These things entered when Adam and Eve sinned and brought curse upon creation. However, God can still use sickness to discipline us, teach us lessons, develop our character, and bring glory to Himself. Ultimately, all sickness is a consequence of living in a fallen, sinful world.
God’s Original Perfect Creation
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth and all living creatures, His creation was perfect. God looked at everything He had made and saw that it was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). There was no sickness, pain, suffering or death in the original creation.
Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden in perfect health. They had access to the Tree of Life which had fruit that would perpetuate eternal life and vitality (Genesis 3:22-23). There was no sickness for them to worry about.
The Entry of Sickness through Sin
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command and ate the forbidden fruit, sin entered the human race. God had warned them that if they ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they would “surely die” (Genesis 2:15-17).
While Adam and Eve did not die immediately, physical death did become a reality for them. Along with it came sickness, pain, hardship and all sorts of suffering. This affected not only humanity but the rest of creation which God pronounced as “cursed” (Genesis 3:14-19).
Why God Allows Sickness
While sickness was never part of God’s original very good creation, God still allows it to exist for the following reasons:
1. Consequence of The Fall and Sin
Sickness, pain and death entered this world only after Adam and Eve’s disobedience. It was a direct consequence of sin. All creation was negatively impacted by the curse that came with mankind’s rebellion against God.
Romans 5:12 tells us that “sin entered the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”
We live in a fallen, sin-infected world where sickness prevails. Our mortal bodies are subject to illness and disease. Even creation itself suffers corruption and decay.
2. Opportunity for Spiritual Growth
God can use adversity, including sickness, to teach us lessons. The experience can lead us to repentance and spiritual growth. Romans 5:3-5 says “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame.”
Many biblical characters like Job had their faith and perseverance refined through trials. God allowed Satan to afflict Job physically, even while acknowledging him as a righteous man (Job 1-2). Still, Job did not lose faith in God.
3. Brings Glory to God
God can display His mercy, grace and miraculous healing when people are sick, bringing glory to Himself. Jesus performed many miracles of healing during His earthly ministry (Matthew 4:23). People saw the compassion and power of God through Christ. When a person is healed, it testifies that God is alive and real.
4. Prepare Us for Heaven
Sickness serves as a reminder that this world is temporary. Our present bodies are perishable but our souls are eternal. Suffering turns our attention to the afterlife where there will be no more sickness, pain or death for believers. It causes us to look forward to being with God forever.
Paul says “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). The trials of this life cannot compare to the joys of heaven.
Does God Want Us Sick?
To say God deliberately makes people sick would go against His very nature and character which is loving, merciful and compassionate. The Bible describes Him as a healer and restorer. Exodus 15:26 states “I am the Lord who heals you.” His desire is to heal, not hurt.
However, God may allow us to go through temporary illnesses and disabilities for greater purposes. But it is always with the intention that we ultimately draw closer to Him. God promises that when we return to Him, He will heal and restore (Jeremiah 30:17; Psalm 103:1-3).
Overcoming Sickness and Infirmity
As children of God, we have authority over sickness because of Christ’s victory on the cross. Isaiah 53:5 declares “by His stripes we are healed.” Christ bore our sicknesses so we can live in divine health.
While complete healing will only happen when Jesus returns, we can still appropriate His power and victory in our current circumstances. When we submit to God in faith and obedience, aligning our lives to His Word, we can walk in health and wholeness. We must also pray and release our faith for healing consistently.
Finding Hope When Your Health Fails You
Getting very sick can be scary and sad. When parts of your body stop working right, you may feel afraid or angry. You may wonder why God lets bad things happen. But God still loves you, even when you struggle with illness. He wants to comfort you and give you hope.
Here are some ways to feel better while coping with sickness that gets worse over time:
Remember God Never Changes
Even when your health changes, God stays the same. He keeps all His promises.
The Bible says God never stops loving us. His plans for us are always good, even when we hurt. We can pray to Him for help anytime.
God may not fix everything we want. But He knows what is best. We can trust Him. He gives us strength to get through hard things.
Focus on God’s Love Through Your Pain
It helps to remember that God understands suffering. His own Son, Jesus, suffered when He died for us. So God feels our pain like a loving parent.
God won’t waste your sickness. He can use it to build your patience, compassion, and trust. Stay close to God, even when you feel sad or angry at your illness. Let your pain draw you nearer to His love.
Have Hope for the Future
Your sickness might not go away or get better. But God promises eternal life to those who believe in Jesus. Heaven will have no more tears, pain, or weary bodies! Keeping your eyes on Jesus and the joy ahead can help you cope today.
One Day at a Time
Thinking too much about what you are losing can make your illness feel worse. Try to focus on what you can do today. Enjoy simple blessings you still have.
Make a Plan
Pray and talk to loved ones about practical things that worry you. Making a will, organizing finances, finding community resources in advance can help ease stress later.
God wants us to make wise plans while thinking of others. This can be one way to shine our light for Jesus, even amid declining health.
Accept Help
Letting others assist you with rides, meals, or chores may feel hard at first when you are used to being independent. But we all need each other. Remind yourself that you would want to help them if they were sick.
Smile, say thank you, and pray for those who give you comfort. This shows God’s love.
Treasure Each New Day
Instead of focusing on what you used to be able to do, thank God for what you can do today. Find new hobbies that work with your current abilities. Spend time laughing with people who care about you.
Count Your Blessings
Even if your body is struggling, maybe you can still enjoy seeing sunshine out a window. Maybe you have a voice to sing hymns. When you start to feel discouraged, make a list of all the little things you can still do. God wants us to think on what is good and praise Him.
Make Memories with Loved Ones
If you start to withdraw into sadness over your illness, you might miss special chances to connect with people you love. Make the effort to attend a grandchild’s event, go through old photos together, or share your life lessons. Treasure your time with dear ones, even when difficult. These memories can lift your spirits on darker days.
Pray Honestly and Openly to God
Do not try to hide your feelings from God. Go ahead and cry out, question, feel angry or afraid about your sickness. The book of Psalms is full of people expressing deep anguish to the Lord. He can handle all your emotions. Take everything to God in prayer.
Ask others to pray for you too. This can help you feel God’s peace that goes beyond understanding pain and trouble in this world. His joy and hope for heaven will grow inside you.
Trust God’s Plan Through Each New Challenge
It is natural to feel overwhelmed as illness brings more changes and loss of abilities. But remember God promises to always be with you, strengthening and comforting you. He knows it is hard, and He cares.
Try to stop asking “Why is this happening to me?” Instead, ask God each day, “How can I honor You through this sickness today?” Talk to someone who can remind you of God’s care when fear starts to take over. Keep your eyes on Jesus, not the struggles.
The Bible says God has prepared wonderful things in heaven that we can’t even imagine for those who love Him. His Spirit lives inside you, so you will never walk alone through this valley, even when it feels very dark.
Cry out to Jesus over and over. He understands human pain and weeping because He experienced them for our sake. Let Jesus fill you with supernatural peace and joy that illness cannot touch. His strength shines brightest through our weakness and suffering.
You may not understand why God allows sickness now. But you can still trust His loving purpose today. Someday you will see how He beautifully redeemed even your hardest trials. In heaven, there will be no more sickness, tears, grief or pain – only joy with Jesus forever.
Conclusion
Sickness was never a part of God’s original plan. It entered the world only when Adam and Eve sinned, as part of the curse of disobedience and rebellion. However, God is able to use sickness and disabilities to discipline and instruct us if we have an open, teachable spirit. Other times, He allows illness to bring glory to Himself when healing takes place. Ultimately, as believers, we can take authority over infirmity based on Christ’s finished work and live an abundant, overcoming life. While we await for the return of Jesus before receiving immortal bodies, we can still walk in divine health and wholeness according to God’s promises.
