No matter how well we steward our health and take care of our bodies, medical challenges may still arise. Unforeseen illnesses, the return of dormant conditions or even life-threatening crises like cancer can throw stress, fear and uncertainty into our daily lives.
Those who have faith in God take comfort in our Lord who knows the pain we endure and feels our hurts just as deeply. It’s no coincidence that the shortest verse in the Bible, John 11:35 tells us that, "Jesus wept"! This is a God who has compassion for our suffering and does not abandon us to fight alone.
No matter what medical challenges you or a loved one may be facing, here are 10 vital reminders from Scripture that renew hope and healing as we cling to their promises, meditate upon them, and spend time in prayer with the Lord as He walks through these trials alongside us.
As Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are sent seemingly to their deaths for their refusal to abandon God and worship an idol, King Nebuchadnezzar sees something that changes everything. He asks, “Didn’t we throw three men, bound, into the fire?” And yet as he watches, he sees that there is another in the fire with them, one who walks with them, keeping them unharmed, shining in radiant glory.
This passage has provided encouragement for centuries and inspired numerous songs, including classic hymns and a recent Christian chart-topper by Josiah Queen, because of its enduring relevance. We may not be thrown into a literal fire, as these three men of God were, but we are constantly thrown into the fires and trials of life. Yet we know that we are not alone; another stands with us in those fires, keeping us safe from the flames and encouraging us through the trials. No matter what your fires may be, Christ will stand with you in them until He delivers you to the other side.
As the author of Hebrews writes to a Jewish remnant hunted for their faith, he delivers this encouragement: “For He has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we can confidently say, the Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Echoing the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 31:6, this author reminds his audience that the words of the Lord all those generations ago are still true and enduring for them: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you.”
Indeed, these words are true even for us today. As we face trials and hardship, which may very well be devastating or discouraging battles with medical conditions, the Lord still tells us to “be strong and courageous.” Our souls belong to Him, and His love wraps around us. No matter what we face, we know that the Lord goes with us. So what can this world do against us, when the Lord holds our souls in His hand? We will not fear.
Paul reminds through this passage that when faced with anxiety and worries, we are to bring these fears before the Lord instead of holding on to them ourselves. When we do this, we bring our brokenness to God while still proclaiming that we trust Him over our present circumstances. This is the key to finding God’s peace in peaceless situations. In doing this, Paul tells us that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
While this verse is often poorly used to dismiss or downplay worries or fear, Paul here acknowledges that we will have genuine hardships and requests to bring before the Lord. But this peace that he speaks of is not ours to maintain or hold on to; God guards our hearts through this peace that only He can produce in our lives. We do not have to try and be perfect or find peace in ourselves. Instead, our calling is to give God our brokenness, our fears and our hardships, and recognize that His power is greater than our circumstances.
Our lives are full of struggles, either against the world or the world waging war against us. Many times, these struggles have very real effects on our body, and sometimes they are fully struggles of health and sickness that this broken world lashes against us. Yet even in this, Paul gives encouragement. “We do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen, but to things that are unseen.”
Paul of all people knew the pain of physical affliction. Many times beaten, starved and tortured for his faith, he suffered greatly in this world. Even still, he reminds us that our outer selves are not who we truly are; while we may be struggling physically, our souls and our faith can be strengthened in these hardships as well. As he ends this passage, “for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Even in these physical trials, we can keep our eyes on the eternal and open our hearts to how the Lord may be growing us through our pain.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” These words, spoken by Jesus to a crowd of listeners struggling under Roman occupation, religious fundamentalism and a fear that their God had abandoned them, are some of the most relief-giving words in all of history. They tell us that finally, we may one day have rest, true rest, that transcends all earthly trials, all suffering and all pain. All we have to do is come to him and bring our burdens to him, exchanging what we carry for the carrying of his yoke, one that may not be easy, but one that is deeply worthwhile.
When we struggle through medical trials and challenges, we long for rest. Sleepless nights, uncomfortable tests and procedures or physical ailments can all drain us physically, leaving us exhausted and frustrated. Yet, Jesus’ words provide comfort that we can grasp; He is a source of rest for us, in this life and the next, through casting our cares and troubles on Him and holding Him tight.
“I lift my eyes up to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.” These are the words of Psalm 121, a vital reminder from David of the true nature of deliverance from trials. David, who faced persecution, loss and physical ailments throughout much of his life, acknowledges the feeling of loss and defeat that can prompt us to look for deliverance from anything and everything. Even so, David affirms that the created things of this earth aren’t what saves us, but the Creator who formed them.
When facing medical or physical challenges, remember where your help comes from. The Lord gives medicine and wisdom to doctors, but ultimately, He is the One who delivers. If earthly means fail, remember how David affirms that “He will not let your foot be moved.” He may bring deliverance in a myriad of ways, but remember to put your hope in Him. After all, it is His hand who upholds doctors, machines and medications.
It is incredibly difficult not to feel discouraged when fighting through pain or physical hardship, much less to feel grateful for the experience. Yet, that is precisely what Paul wrote to the Romans when he said, “we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
How can we ever possibly “rejoice in our sufferings”? Paul’s words here echo his other writings by re-shifting the focus from the temporary to the eternal in order to see how God uses suffering to grow us closer to Him and deeper in our faith. Paul’s promise reminds us that rejoicing through suffering is only possible, though, if we keep our eyes on the greatest truth: God’s love sealed into our hearts. Through these trials, we grow in our character and our hope in the Lord and His deliverance through endurance. It would be much easier to bypass this step, but fair weather seldom grows strong roots.
One of the deepest and most difficult commands in all of the Bible comes from David’s writings in the Book of Psalms: “Be still and know that I am God.” These words, short as they may be, have so much power. More than even believing in God, we are able to know, deeply within our soul, that He is who He says He is. David’s words here come after a long section describing God’s mighty, breathtaking power over nature, over his judgement of evil and over all aspects of His creation. David describes in beautiful imagery just how awe-inducing our God truly is, only to end with these lines:
“Be still and know that I am God.”
When faced with everything of who God is, we see how everything else, including our own trials and sufferings, pale in comparison. How can we fear the power of this world when our eyes never move from gazing into the depths of God’s power? How can we worry or stress, plan or bustle around on our own, when we truly see God’s control over all things? This understanding of God commands us to stop and fall in worship, realizing that we do not have to keep trying and trying on our own. We can be still, truly still, and find peace in knowing that He is God over every trial and hardship.
Incorporating these scriptures into your daily prayer life can transform your perspective during difficult health journeys. Consistency is key; start by choosing one verse each day to reflect on. Read it, meditate on its meaning, and then speak it back to God in your own words. This practice fosters a personal connection with Him, turning His promises into personal prayers for strength, peace, and hope. By consistently praying Scripture, you anchor your heart to His truth, allowing His words to become a source of unshakable encouragement that sustains you through any medical challenge.