"The greatest sermons I have ever heard were not preached from pulpits, but from sickbeds. The greatest, deepest truths of God's Word have often been revealed...by humble souls who have gone through the seminary of affliction and have learned experientially the deep things of the ways of God.

Are you afflicted and suffering, precious child of God? Then remember -- your Father still knows best...Grapes must be crushed before wine can be made. Unless the violin is stretched until it cries out in pain, there is no music in it. Wheat must be broken to make bread. We may not know what God is doing now, but someday we shall understand and be like Him.

Dr. M.R. De Haan ~Broken Things

Sick And Suffering People in The Bible

From Does God Want Me Well?

Job (Job 1-42)

Identity -- a godly and wealthy man who lived some 4,000 years ago

Affliction -- loss of property, death of children, painful skin disease

Source of Affliction -- Satan with God's permission

Reason for Affliction -- testing and refining

Result of Affliction -- greater knowledge of God and understanding of self 42:1-6

Lesson -- God and Satan may both be involved in the sending of our afflictions.

Miriam (Ex. 15:20-21; Num. 12; 26:59)

Identity -- sister of Moses and Aaron.

Affliction -- leprosy.

Source -- God.

Reason -- chastening for rebellion.

Result -- repentance, healing, restoration.

Lesson -- God sometimes uses suffering to chasten His disobedient children.

Ezekiel's wife (Ezek. 24:15-27)

Identity -- wife of a major prophet.

Affliction -- her illness and death.

Source -- God.

Reason -- To illustrate God's dealings with the nation of Israel.

Result -- God was glorified (implied).

Lesson -- God sometimes uses suffering and even death to accomplish His purposes.

Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 4:4; 9)

Identity -- young some of King Saul.

Affliction -- crippled through a fall.

Source -- not given.

Reason -- not given.

Result -- lifetime affliction with no cure provided.

Lesson -- God doesn't always tell us the reason for our suffering.

Paul (2Cor. 12:1-10)

Identity -- the great apostle to the Gentiles.

Affliction -- a thorn in the flesh (an unidentified physical malady).

Source -- a gift from God (implied) and a "messenger of Satan."

Reason -- to keep Paul from exalting himself because of his unique spiritual experiences.

Result -- the thorn remained with Paul in spite of his prayers for deliverance but became a blessing because it increased his dependence on the Lord.

Lesson -- God doesn't always bring temporal healing, even to his most devoted children.