My dad’s words ring in my ears, “If you have your health, you have everything.” Personally, I wouldn’t go that far, although good health is a great blessing.

When we tie our value to our health, we’re on dangerous ground. I’m especially sensitive to that as I witness several of my friends afflicted by high blood pressure, heart problems, bad knees, cancer and other maladies.

For some of them, I sense their fear. For others, it’s worry and discouragement. The steadiness of good health isn’t so steady any more. There’s a shakiness as they grapple with the uncertainty of their future. I have to wonder if some of them feel less valuable, too.

We all have to come face to face with our humanity. When we’re hit with a surprise diagnosis or a pain that lingers, our mind should go right to God. Our dependence on him should deepen, our hope in him should spring fresh. Instead of fear, confidence in God can grow.

That looks good on paper, but it’s not easy to live out.

Paul was plagued by a secret illness or disease that theologians have been trying to figure out for centuries. It was so intense, Paul describes it this way, “I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7 NIV) Not every illness is Satan’s tool in our lives, but it was for Paul in this instance. And he knew the reason, stating in the same verse, “In order to keep me from becoming conceited.”

A friend of mine has a painful, Paul-like reminder that plagues him every waking moment. I marvel at how this has drawn him close to his Savior, with a dependence I wish I had. However, I don’t want the classroom lesson – pain.

Because Paul was a spiritual giant, the pain didn’t bother him, right? Wrong. Paul wrestled with it and wanted it to go away. He was human like we are. “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NIV)

Whether our health is good or bad, we can choose to focus on it or turn it over to God. The latter will build our confidence in Jesus. This courageous faith is needed when our health does fail.

Paul understood the lessons God was teaching him, which drew him closer than ever to Jesus. Like my friend, he held on to the Lord and experienced intimacy with him.

Paul’s words were not academic, but birthed from experience: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction.” (2 Corinthians 1:3 ESV)

Your comfort comes directly from God. In the midst of your pain, cling courageously to him. He is there.

(From my new Devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days of Courage. Available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback).