Scleroderma

          My girlfriend, Jean, recently got the news that she had scleroderma.  When people around her heard the news, they said, "sclera-what?"  Not many people know about this disease of the muscle tissue and skin.  Jean certainly didn't know and so she decided to become an expert on the facts about scleroderma.  She was constantly in front of her computer, researching articles, writing doctors, comparing reports, investigating treatments.  But I noticed something about my friend -- it was great that she was learning so much, but I couldn't help but notice (many of us noticed) that her focus on God began to change. 

            You'd ask her how she was doing with the Lord, and she'd reply with her recent medical report.  She'd come to Bible study or you'd run into her at Church and, well... it turned into an opportunity to bring you up to date on the latest news about scleroderma.  At first it was understandable; you'd expect Jean to think a lot about her condition.  But after a while, I wondered if her faith in the Lord was beginning to suffer.

            Now, it is not wrong to want to know about scleroderma.  Of course, if you have just been diagnosed with that condition, you'd want all the facts, you'd do research, you'd want to know your options.  It's good to know about the diagnosis you've been given.  But the lure to know more and more about your problem, and the lack of desire to know God more and more in the midst of your problem, well, that's a clear indication that your faith is becoming diminished.

            Look, friend, a bad medical report is meant to waken us to the reality of God.  It is meant to put feeling and force behind the command in Hosea chapter 6 where it says, "Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord."  And please remember, that command came at a time when the nation of Israel was being overwhelmed with problems.  And what was Hosea's prescription?  Let us know... let us press on to know the Lord better.  

            That is what his advice was when problems hit hard. It's true, when suffering hits us broadside, sure it shakes our faith.  But it's also meant to waken us to the truth of Daniel 11:32 where it says, "The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action."  If you happen to be one who has heard bad news from the doctor this week, I want to encourage you to stand firm.  Don't let this thing swallow you up.  Don't let it suck your faith dry.  Rather, stand firm and take action.  Take it as an opportunity to do a little research of your own into God's Word.  Compare Bible verses with each other; investigate the examples of Paul or Joseph or Daniel or the apostle Peter, all of whom were hit broadside with bad news and suffering in their lives.  What a waste of an illness what a waste of an injury if we read day and night about that illness, that injury, and not about God.

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