This Temporary Tent (2 Cor. 5:1-5)

For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.
(2 Corinthians 5:1-5, NASB)

Living with chronic health issues isn’t fun. And those of us who deal with these kinds of issues would prefer not having to do so. Truly. If God were to completely heal me this moment, I’d be perfectly happy!

But—and I’m speaking only for myself—there are a few positives about ill health. Knowing I have little strength of my own, I’m much more dependent on God’s strength. I have the blessing of encouraging others who deal with chronic health issues.

And most of all, I long to be “clothed with [my] dwelling from heaven.” I groan here on earth as my earthly “tent” continues to fall apart. I’m burdened every day by my body’s lack of energy, limited capacity, and relentless pain. I look forward with great anticipation to that day when I can shed this earthly skin, when I will feel pain no longer.

So when I struggle to get out of bed and when I just don’t think I have the strength to go on, I remember the words of a great old gospel song:

This world is not my home; I’m just a-passing through.
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door.
And I can’t feel at home in this world any more.