Spiritual Warfare Series — Devotional #7
Sickness & Disabilities
This week, we continue exploring the question:
How does God’s enemy come after His people and His leaders for the sole purpose of distracting, disrupting, and derailing them from being involved in God's great mission?
As we survey Pauline literature, we will discover fourteen tactical strategies the enemy uses to attack God's people, along with specific antidotes to address each one. (See the introduction to this series for an overview of this subject.)
Tactic 7. Sickness & Disabilities
Text: II Corinthians 12:7
"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me."
Problem:
Satan can use physical sickness or disability to prey upon a believer and instill doubts about God and His enabling grace. But God can also use these challenges to prevent abuse of power and pride in a leader’s life.
— J. Robert Clinton
Antidote:
Don’t let sickness rob you of your trust in God. Seek His enabling grace (whether or not He chooses to heal you).
— J. Robert Clinton
Reflective Questions:
Are you experiencing any physical limitations or prolonged pain in your life at this time?
Is anyone in your church currently experiencing physical limitations or prolonged pain?
If so, how would you describe the level of discouragement you're facing? (Scale of 1 = minimal discouragement to 10 = extreme discouragement)
Have you experienced intense doubts about God's love, power, or grace in your life and ministry?
Can you see any good coming from what you are experiencing right now? (Romans 8:28)
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, grant us the discernment to see behind the illnesses we endure—whether they are discouraging attacks from the enemy or Your loving discipline meant to promote holiness in Your church. Help us to stand strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10) and to trust in Your sovereign purpose (Hebrews 12:7–11).
Father, save us from doubting Your love, power, and presence in our lives. Teach us to run toward You and to embrace Your grace in humble dependence. In the strong name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
