"I need to accept this and focus on spiritual growth through suffering."
How it sounds in your head: Maybe God allowed this to deepen my faith. Romans 8:28 says all things work together for good. Fighting it might mean fighting God's plan to mature me.
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in HEALTH, just as your soul prospers."
-- 3 John 1:2Religious teaching that glorifies suffering as God's primary discipleship tool.
Every Bible study she's been in taught 'trials produce perseverance.' The theology of suffering-as-sanctification makes her pain feel purposeful, even holy.
Paul's 'thorn' was a messenger of Satan (a demon), NOT sickness. God's grace was sufficient to keep him humble despite revelations—the context is spiritual warfare, not disease. Paul healed OTHERS constantly—he wasn't living with chronic illness himself.
I REFUSE the lie that God wants me sick for spiritual growth. IT IS WRITTEN that God wants me to prosper in ALL THINGS and be in HEALTH. Jesus healed EVERYONE—He never said 'stay sick and mature.' Suffering is NOT God's discipleship tool—the WORD is. IT IS WRITTEN: by His stripes I was healed. The BARAK blessing includes HEALTH without conditions. I receive healing and spiritual maturity SIMULTANEOUSLY—they're both GIFTS, not achievements.
The Father is watching you 'accept' disease as His will—and He's WEEPING. He didn't send sickness to teach you—He sent His SON to HEAL you. He's running toward you with health AND wholeness—you don't choose one.