To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21
“I do not pray that you may be delivered from your pains; but I pray God earnestly that He would give you strength and patience to bear them as long as He pleases. Comfort yourself with Him who holds you fastened to the cross: He will loose you when He thinks fit.
Happy are those who suffer with Him: accustom yourself to suffer in that manner, and seek from Him the strength to endure as much, and as long, as He shall judge to be necessary for you. The men of the world do not comprehend these truths, nor is it to be wondered at, since they suffer like what they are, and not like Christians: they consider sickness as a pain to nature, and not as a favor from God; and seeing it only in that light, they find nothing in it but grief and distress.
But those who consider sickness as coming from the hand of God, as the effects of His mercy, and the means which He employs for their salvation, commonly find in it great sweetness and sensible consolation. I wish you could convince yourself that God is often (in some sense) nearer to us and more effectually present with us, in sickness than in health. Rely upon no other Physician, for, according to my apprehension, He reserves your cure to Himself…
Whatever remedies you make use of, they will succeed only so far as He permits. When pains come from God, He only can cure them. He often sends diseases of the body, to cure those of the soul. Comfort yourself with the sovereign Physician both of soul and body.”
Brother Lawrence (c. 1614-1691) in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 28.
The 11th letter of Brother Lawrence provides perspective in suffering and sickness. As the plague rages around the world, I think part of our generosity is sharing this perspective with people.
Everyone seems to be looking for a vaccine when the purpose of a plague or pestilence in Scripture is to get people to look to God. In conversations, at social distance, let’s point people to the Sovereign Physician.
And may the Psalms, many which include lament, be dripping from our tongues (if you are joining me in pausing to pray the Psalms in the daily office (6am, 9am, 12noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, and bedtime or 12midnight).