This day was one of those unexpected days where I stayed home.  It was as they say in the office “Unplanned Time Off”.  I had left work early the day before due to a nagging pain in my side that eventually gave me a bad headache.  This time it was not a coworker.  (Actually I have been blessed with some great people to work with and for and I am very grateful for my job!)  No, this pain in my side was not employee or job related.  I thought it was the beginning kidney stone because I have been having that pain off and on for a couple of weeks.  It sure seemed like a kidney stone yesterday because I started getting that clammy feeling and nausea and my head began to hurt worse.

By the time I got home, the nausea was really bad and escalated to the point where I could not keep anything down and my head was pounding like a sledge hammer.  My wife decided to take me to the local emergency room.  After a few tests it was determined that I did have a kidney stone but it was not located on the side that was hurting me.  Turns out my pancreas is giving me some trouble.  The most common causes are due to excessive drinking and gallstones.  I quit drinking over 15 years ago (thanks to the help of the Lord) and I had my gallbladder out about 12 years ago; so that rules out those two causes.  The doctor says that perhaps the problem with my pancreas is just due to a virus.  He says it could just get better by itself but more tests are needed.  Time will tell.  In the meantime it was an “Unplanned Time Off” day for me.

Anytime I am sick, I try to follow what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18:

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

It is God’s will that we always rejoice!  I can rejoice and be thankful in all situations, even when I am sick.  I can rejoice that I have a job with good people to cover for me when I am gone and that I have a job with sick pay!  Many people are out of work.  I prayed for some of those people today.  I can always find something to rejoice about.  If you look at things in the right perspective you can always see the rainbow instead of the clouds.  I can be thankful that I have a loving wife who is always looking after me and taking care of me when I don’t feel well.  I am thankful that God has given me His word so that I can have comfort in all situations.  Sometimes people misunderstand and misapply this verse.  Sometimes people think we should be thankful for everything that happens to us.  Our Lord doesn’t tell us to be “thankful for ALL situations” but rather to be thankful “IN” all situations.  You can do that if you know that He is with you and if you know how much He loves you.   You can be thankful in all situations if you place your hope and your trust in the Lord.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com