What's the Focus??

A comment came up in conversation that illness is a result of harbouring sin in our lives, or because of unhealed generational sin. I am not saying this is not a true statement and have seen the Lord do amazing things to heal people thru revisiting the past...changing the course of history I say... and why not He is timeless.

So I could ask the question..."What is it Lord that is in me that needs to go so I can get well? That seems to be the focus at times...I WANT TO BE WELL! Did you hear me, Lord? Sickness can do one of two things at any given time I think... it seems to me I go in one of two directions with the frustration of it...

Option #1. Pursue an answer so I can get well...sounds like a good idea...makes sense in many ways...who wouldn't seek a solution when they have a problem, right? Well, umpteen doctors later, and many bottles of vitamins, prescription drugs, chiropractic treatments....and much prayer and frustration...and I am here crying Lord! What? I am still sick!

Option #2. Pursue God...afterall to know Him is eternal life (John 17:3).

Phil 3:7But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

It is amazing what things I thought were gain to me...being able to run power tools, cook meals, bake my own bread, work in the garden, etc, etc...right down to being able to get in the car and go places whenever I wanted.

8Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in Him, ... 10that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.... I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me...reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ....

Hmmm.

20For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for (expect fully) the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Sounds like we are already in a heavenly place and are eagerly and fully expecting the Savior from it...

21who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Yes, I need to hear this...according to the working by which HE is able ...not according to the working by which I am able...to subdue all things to Himself. What things Lord? All those things in me that remain out of line with You? Those things that rise up and want to take the place that belongs to You in my heart.

If I pursue a remedy... if I pursue freedom from sin...if I pursue doctors and treatments...if I pursue knowledge...if I pursue...pursue, pursue... I am missing the mark...all these things are helpful, necessary, and good...but I need to look heavenward..."for our light affliction, which is but for a moment (in terms of eternity), is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory".

Can I surrender to the One who is working things out "according to the working by which HE is able to subdue all things to Himself "?

The prayer should not be "Help, get me out of this?"
The question is: "Lord, show me what I can learn while I am in this?"