Who here has ever been sick? Stomach ache, soar throat, rash, an injury, or even a cold or the flu?

 Ick is what I call being hurt or sick. Now, how many have ever had a friend or family member go through some ICK?

Which do you think is worse, getting Ick or watching someone you care about be hurt or sick?

What would you think if I told you, 'I think the reason God allows us to go through our Ick times is to allow us to be more like Jesus?"

As a matter of fact God sent his own son to us not to show us how to live in a pain and worry free lap of luxury, but instead to be an example of how to get through the hard times we ALL experience in life.

Being hurt or sick or heart broken can be our greatest moment to shine on this planet or in this lifetime. Jesus is not remembered for his easy life. Nor is he celebrated for the ease in which he spread God's message in the world. As a matter of fact it was his struggle even among his own friends, the disciple, to get them to understand that it was his purpose to fulfill tormenting prophecy to prove he was the Son of God.

The disciples, his friends, all the Mary's and even his own prosecutor, Pontius Pilot tried to get Jesus not to go through what God had planned for his life. But, if Jesus hadn't been strong, brave and resolved to make a mark on this world he probably would have been forgotten a long time ago!

When you are going through tough times the questions and prayers we ask of God are to take the pain away, but the next time you have the icks or are hurting because someone you know or love has them maybe what we also might want to pray is a, "Thank you." "Thank you God for letting me understand more about Jesus." Or, "Thank you God for letting me be here to watch the transformation of my loved into Christ embodied. Give me the strength to be here for them and let them know that they are not alone or useless, and give me the courage to walk along with them so they can know that, not only am I there but you (God) are there with them also."

Be assured in the telling of this because we know if Jesus conquered death and died for us now surely we can conquer anything we are faced with. That's not to say it will be easy but in all things know that God is still there with us. Even when we feel so bad it's easy to forget. That's why it is most important for fellow Christians to remind us or your loved one of Jesus' triumph over death to save all of us.