Biblical Answer

Can I still have a happy life if I'm sick?

In the Bible, we find many examples of people who experienced physical illness while still maintaining a strong faith and a happy life. The apostle Paul, for instance, wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 that he had a "thorn in the flesh," which he asked God to remove three times, but God chose not to. Instead, God told Paul that His power was made perfect in weakness. Paul came to understand that his physical suffering was not a hindrance to his happiness, but rather an opportunity to experience God's power and presence in a deeper way.

As C.S. Lewis wrote in "Mere Christianity," "Health is a great blessing, but the moment you make health one of your main, direct objects you start becoming a crank and imagining there is something wrong with you." This is a wise observation, for when we focus too much on our physical health, we can become anxious and depressed. However, when we trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, we can find joy and happiness even in the midst of illness. This is not to say that we should not seek medical treatment or care for our physical bodies, but rather that we should not make our physical health the primary source of our happiness.

In fact, Scripture often uses the metaphor of sickness and healing to describe our spiritual condition. In Psalm 38:5-8, David writes about his physical illness and how it has affected his spiritual state. He says, "My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down and greatly troubled; I go mourning all day long. For my iniquities I am deeply grieved; my guilt is continually before me." However, in Psalm 30:2-5, David writes about his joy and happiness in the midst of illness, saying, "O Lord, my God, I cried to you for help, and you healed me. O Lord, you brought up my soul from the grave; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." This teaches us that even in the midst of physical illness, we can experience joy and happiness through our faith in God.