Many people are sick. They are fighting cancer, heart disease, autoimmune conditions, mental illnesses and more. My heart breaks for these people who are suffering some of the worst kinds of Satan’s curses.
Even healthy people suffer occasional bouts of flu or other temporary ailments.
I know people who are not sick but behave as if they are. They milk minor headaches, stomach issues, and pains for all the sympathy they can get.
These people are the adult equivalents of kids who create ways to miss school.
Like truant students, these people pretend to be sick or exaggerate the severity of their ailments to gain something they want: an excuse to miss work or to get out of washing dishes or to shirk their responsibility in a group project. They are deceivers.
No, I am not qualified to assess people’s health. But I know what I know. I have observed obvious attempts to gain release from fulfilling responsibilities by feigning sickness. I won’t say I have never done it. Shame on me.
Something is not right if I can go for a mani-pedi, shop for clothes or show up for my bowling league, but I am too impaired to go to work, to church, to the school event I agreed to supervise or to the kitchen to bake the pan of lasagna I agreed to provide for the deacons’ luncheon.
God did not call me to manipulate people or situations for my benefit.
Good health is a wonderful blessing, but it comes with obligations. Healthy people perform the jobs assigned to them. They get up, dress up and show up every time.
In chapter five of John, Jesus asked an infirm man if he wanted to be well. That seemed at first to be a silly question. But maybe it wasn’t.
Photo by elizabeth lies on Unsplash
Photo by Antonika Chanel on Unsplash
The Happy Geranium 
Well said! I’ve known a few who love the drama factor when it comes to medical issues, both real and imagined. The problem they often face is that the rest of us don’t know when they are telling the truth. I’m thinking of the story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”
Yes, that reminds me of the tombstone that supposedly read: I TOLD YOU I WAS SICK!
I agree with Teri as far as the the boy who cried wolf. Sometimes we just don’t know what’s going on with various situations.
Debbie, you’re right on the mark. That passage has convicted me before of that very truth that health comes with the responsibility to use it well. How quick I am to forget! So thankful God is patient with us as we are works in progress. Thank you for this reminder to keep right priorities! Happy New Year (almost)! 🙂
Great post! Very well said and no need to elaborate except to wish you a Happy Healthy New Year!
Thank you, Jennifer! Happy New Year to you and your family too!
Great reminder! ❤️
I write what I know. I’m not planning to get out of my pajamas today. I have a headache.