5. Where does sickness come from?

6. Everything in all of creation depends on God.

7. What God makes is good – very good!

8. But people choose their own way rather than God’s – sin enters the world.
So is this the cause of pain and illness in the world?

9. No – v.16, “I will increase your pains in childbirth…”
Pain is helpful to childbirth (it helps mothers push to completion)
So no simple sin = pain/sickness

10. Having said that, sin can lead directly to sickness
Think of 7 deadly sins – gluttony & sloth (heart problems)
BUT NOT NECESSARILY SO !!
AND CERTAINLY NOT VICE VERSA !!

11. Natural part of living in this world – things happen

12. The effects of the actions of others on us – someone stabbing us causes us to bleed!

13. Sometimes more subtle – cutting corners in buildings causes catastrophes, our desire for cheap goods means people cut corners …

14. Demonic influence – but don’t get carried away!

15. Jesus never condemns anyone who is ill for their sickness
Yes, he forgives sins before healing (maybe he saw a particular instance – but condemnation wasn’t part of the healing)
Rather, he sees the possibility of God at work in a situation

16. How do we see God at work in the world?
What possibilities exist for God to transform a situation?

17. Sometimes it is seeing things differently
- death is not the end – God awaits, and full healing takes place in his presence. So releasing people into God’s keeping is a greater act of faith than asking for healing to keep them in this world
Sickness can often bring us closer to God – if we allow it
It provides the opportunity to give to others – kindness, help, comfort, healing

18. Perhaps especially the chance to show that others that they are not alone – but we are God’s presence,
Not in words, not in actions, but in presence
To those who are abandoned …