"God allows sickness to draw you closer to Him or test your faithfulness."
How it sounds in your head: Maybe God is using this chronic illness to deepen my relationship with Him. Perhaps I've been too independent, and this pain is His way of making me depend on Him. The leaders say God sometimes allows trials to test our faith like He tested Job, so maybe fighting for healing is fighting God's purpose.
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."
-- Acts 10:38Source: religion - sovereignty theology distortion making God author of evil to protect His reputation when prayers go unanswered.
She's been taught that 'all things work together for good' means God orchestrates suffering. When nothing else explains ongoing sickness, making it 'God's mysterious purpose' provides theological closure that stops the cognitive dissonance, even though it makes God cruel.
She had a spirit of infirmity for 18 years, couldn't straighten up, was bent double. Religious leaders said healing on Sabbath was wrong - prioritizing rules over relief. Jesus called her forward, said 'Woman, you are LOOSED from your infirmity,' laid hands on her, and IMMEDIATELY she was made straight and glorified God - instant freedom from 18-year bondage.
I REFUSE the lie that God authors sickness to draw me closer. IT IS WRITTEN: Acts 10:38 - Jesus healed ALL who were oppressed by the DEVIL. Sickness is enemy's oppression, not Father's teaching tool. Jesus healed the woman bent over 18 years IMMEDIATELY - He didn't say 'this is building character.' IT IS WRITTEN: by His stripes I WAS healed. I am a branch in the Vine, connected to LIFE, not sickness. The BARAK blessing defeated enemies and protected God's people even when they sinned - it's COVENANT POWER. God draws me with LOVE, not disease. I receive healing NOW, because that's His TRUE nature.
The Father isn't making you sick to get your attention - He's running toward you with healing because healthy daughters who dance in freedom bring Him infinitely more glory than sick daughters performing loyalty through suffering while misrepresenting His heart to a watching world.