In Sickness and In Health

Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. ~ Luke 4:38b-39

  Michele and I just went through a round of the flu with our two younger teens, Erika and Anthony.  They missed school.  I ran them to doctor’s appointments.  Michele called to check in from work and to prompt me to get medications or what ever else was needed.  Michele is the nurse.  I am not. 

            What I mean to say is that my nursing abilities are lacking. I don’t have much of a bedside manner.  I am more witch doctor than nurse trying to frighten the flu bug or evil spirits away from my sick children.  I am attempting humor here.  Basically I feel unable to help, so I feel helpless and a bit frustrated.

            That is the weakness I face when my love, whom I depend on for so many things, falls ill.  I feel sick right along with her.  I do not have the illness she has, but I have an undone feeling like I am not okay.  I feel insecure when Michele is sick.  I often tell her she is my “quiet strength.”  So when she’s not okay, I am not okay.  Sound like co-dependency?  Or is it indicative of the deep love connection, that one flesh relationship that God does in marriages?

            Peter and Jesus were finally getting a chance to wind down after a busy day of ministry around Capernaum.  He had preached on that Sabbath Day in the synagogue and there drove an evil spirit from a possessed man. But when they got to the home of Simon Peter’s mother, where she had graciously put them up; they found her sick with a high fever.

            “They asked Jesus to help her.”  It sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it?  How do you ask Jesus to help your spouse when they are feeling ill?  Can we pray for our spouse or children when they are sick with something as ordinary as a cold or fever?  I have seen Michele feel better just because I cared enough to pray over her. 

Try praying over your spouse while they are lying on their sick bed.  It might seem awkward, but envision in your mind’s eye the Lord Jesus there with you touching them with His mighty hands.  Imagine the Lord of the Universe leaning over the bed with you and in the authority of His name, rebuking the illness. 

Jesus has been given authority in all things.  He shares this authority when you pray in His name.  Learn to let go of your own insecurities when your loved one is languished and be strengthened and renewed in the knowledge that Jesus answers those who call upon the Great Physician.

Once they are feeling better, you can go back to depending on them.  Depend on Jesus always and He will enable you to keep your spouse in sickness and in health.