Trophimus I left sick at Miletus

“Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.” – 2 Timothy 4:20

Sometimes we get sick. And sometimes prayer, as earnest as you can be, leaves us not-healed.

Sick Trophimus got left behind by the Apostle Paul, not because God was unable to heal him, not because God was punishing Trophimus for some sin, nor because nobody had enough faith. God allowed the sickness. ^¹

This is very evident during the current COVID 19 pandemic. Being human means we have a body abusable through The Fall of Man. [See: Explaining “Natural”] Sickness is part of the curse of God upon the earth because of sin.

Don’t blame God because you or your loved one is sick or dies. Don’t blame your supposed “lack of faith”, nor wallow depressed, thinking God “has it in for you”.

Paul himself said he had a physical condition that would not go away. He earnestly prayed to be healed. But apparently never was.

The same goes for our troubles, pain, persecution and death. Look at the heroes of our faith in Hebrews 11. Sometimes we are delivered, and sometimes we are not. That’s up to God. We look to Him in faith and pray “Thy will be done….” Our faith is in Him, a big enough faith that…

Trusts Him even when we do not understand the whys and wherefores
Trusts Him even when we don’t get what we asked for

Do not fear, I will help you, says our Shepherd.

We do properly pray God will heal us (James 5:13-15), but then we must properly leave it to God to determine what His will is for us. Demanding He heal, or proclaiming healing as if our “speaking forth” is magical – trying to force God’s hand… is a crock.

See:
Do you pray like this, not heeding Scripture? and
Who Do You Think You Are?

God’s truth is: Sometimes we are healed, but sometimes God allows the sickness to remain. That’s life on earth during this phase of God’s plan for His creation. (Note for instance: most everyone who dies – was not healed….)

In the midst of our “troubles”, we should seek to be encouraged by others in the faith – and be diligent and confident to also be an encouragement to others in their suffering.

“…that is, that we may be mutually encouraged and comforted by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. ” – Romans 1:12

I will put my trust in God – and not doubt Him, no matter what I find myself suffering through. Our faith is not in His healing power, but rather – in His love for us and a trust that He will see us through to the end.

⁶But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him. –Hebrews 11: verse 6

My reward is secure in Him, safe with Him, in Heaven where I will soon be living as a full-time citizen. What about you? ”

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

FOR MORE:

When we face difficult times in our life

When I find myself in times of trouble, I turn to Jesus

Why all my pain and sorrow, my sickness and worries?

God is My Refuge and Strength

Do not fear, I will help you

Hebrews 11: Read the full text of the heroes of our faith here.

What God has going on with us here on this planet

The Hand of God

Be this everywhere all the time

Finding Perfect Peace

Peaceful Easy Feeling