"Suffering from this disease brings me closer to God and makes me more spiritual."
How it sounds in your head: The sickest people at church seem the most holy. Maybe God likes me better when I'm suffering. Maybe pain makes me more like Jesus. Maybe I'm more spiritual now than when I was healthy.
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
-- 3 John 1:2Religious glorification of suffering confuses identification with Christ's death with unnecessary ongoing physical torment.
She sees adults praise sick people as 'strong in faith' and 'examples of perseverance,' making sickness look like a spiritual badge of honor. It makes her pain feel meaningful instead of pointless.
She died and was full of good works and charitable deeds—already godly and spiritual. Peter raised her from the DEAD because death and disease cut short her purpose, they don't fulfill it.
I REFUSE the lie that suffering makes me more spiritual. IT IS WRITTEN that God desires I prosper and be in health just as my soul prospers—health and holiness go together. Jesus never suffered sickness to be close to the Father; He walked in perfect health and perfect communion. I draw near through the BLOOD, not through disease. IT IS WRITTEN that I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I LIVE—I share in His resurrection life, not ongoing crucifixion. I am Abraham's seed with the BARAK blessing of health on every part of my body. My intimacy with God flows from His Spirit in me, not from sickness attacking me.
Your Father doesn't bond with you over disease like a sad hospital visit—He communes with you in the garden of health and life. He's not waiting for you to suffer enough to earn closeness; He tore the veil and invited you into constant intimacy while you're WELL.