"My sickness glorifies God by showing others how to suffer well."
How it sounds in your head: People say 'your attitude through this is so inspiring' and 'you're a witness.' Maybe the point isn't healing—maybe the point is showing people how Christians handle pain. If I ask for healing, am I being selfish? Maybe glorifying God means enduring this.
"When Jesus heard that, He said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.'"
-- John 11:4Source: Religious teaching that confuses endurance of the devil's work with glorifying God's nature.
When people compliment your 'strong faith' while you're suffering, it feels like you're doing something right spiritually. Asking for healing feels less noble than bearing it bravely.
Had a withered hand, religious leaders watched to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath. Jesus was ANGRY at their hardness of heart, told the man 'STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND,' and he was RESTORED—instantly whole, and Jesus' compassion and power were glorified, not the withered hand.
I REFUSE the lie that staying sick glorifies my Father. IT IS WRITTEN that Lazarus' sickness was for God's glory, but God was glorified when Jesus RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, not when he stayed in the tomb. My Father is glorified when HEALING POWER is revealed, not when I endure disease bravely. Jesus was ANGRY at death and sickness—He didn't celebrate it as a teaching moment; He DESTROYED it as the enemy's work. IT IS WRITTEN that the man with the withered hand was healed INSTANTLY, and THAT glorified God—the restoration, not the deformity. I am blessed with the BARAK of Abraham, and that blessing includes HEALTH so that God's goodness is revealed in my WHOLENESS. I receive healing NOW because my Father is glorified when His kids walk in the fullness He purchased.
Your Father isn't glorified by your disease—He's glorified by His healing power revealed IN you. He doesn't want people to admire your endurance; He wants them to see His goodness in your wholeness.