Wife’s Illness

Our family life brought us daily happiness and delighted us with constant discoveries in each other. All our big and small concerns were resolved in a spirit of love and friendship. Our household was arranged according to the principles and habits that we brought into our home. But the enemy of the soul does not sleep, and if he cannot lead us into temptation, he sends various ailments in order at least to mock us in this way.

One day my wife complained of a strange condition and fatigue. I realized that something unusual had happened and began to observe what was going on. And she became worse and worse. Although illnesses were not a frequent occurrence in our family, this time it was clear that this was something new.

Leaving for work, I prayed with my wife for her healing and left the house with a bad premonition.

We led a healthy lifestyle, and I was surprised that something had clung to us. My wife knew what needed to be done in such situations, for she herself taught others those procedures that speed up the process of recovery.

While working, I began to reflect on various problems that can come along with illness, not excluding even a fatal outcome. To somehow dispel my anxieties, I called our prayer support group, and together with friends we decided to pray for my wife, believing that the Lord would certainly answer.

Periodically I called my wife, and she, so as not to upset me, replied that she was resting and needed peace. She did some hydrotherapy procedures and, putting aside all her affairs and plans, took to her bed.

I had many questions for God, to which I was not given quick answers. I thought that “healthy-lifestyle people” had no right to be ill, but illness had come. I knew what I would do, but I did not know how to help the one I love. I began to ask for wisdom and peace in my heart.

In the meantime, our friends informed other church members about our problem and began to bombard me and my wife with all sorts of advice and recipes. Understanding that I was the same way myself, I had to listen to everyone and thank them for everything. But there were also those who asked again whether we had done what they told us and were indignant if I had undertaken nothing, urging us to act according to their recommendations. As a result, my wife warned me that she would be out of touch, since she wanted to disconnect from everything and be in quiet. Our friends began to call me, asking whether everything was all right with my beloved, and asking me to pass on to her the best tips for a speedy recovery. It was difficult for me to continue working, and I asked to go home after lunch.

Coming home, I quietly looked into the room where my wife was ill and was puzzled by how bad she looked in her suffering.

We had previously agreed that during an illness of either of us we would, if possible, avoid physical contact with each other and other people. And I so wanted to hug her, hold her close, and say something kind, but I decided only to ask what was needed and, understanding that nothing was, I went to pray.

Our friends beset me with calls and messages, and I was afraid that if I turned off the phone, they would certainly come to the house, and I had to answer everyone.

Fears and dark forebodings filled me as I saw the crisis of the illness intensify. I prayed and reflected on our life, on our plans, on the future. It was difficult for me to imagine all this without the one whom the Lord had given me. And in despair I cried out to the Lord for healing.

We did not trust doctors very much and decided to turn to them only in extreme cases, relying more on God’s methods of prevention and healing. In prayer I asked for wisdom, protection, and God’s intervention in our situation.

Judging by the symptoms, the illness was like the flu, but with very severe headaches.

While my wife lay and rested, I decided to stock up on fresh fruit and greens and to set about cooking healthy food, and then to do damp cleaning of the house, without ceasing to pray.

When my wife came out of her room to the bathroom, with my eyes I asked her: “Well, how do you feel?” And she let me know that she was fighting as best she could. I briefly spoke to her of my love and asked her to live, to which she smiled and promised that she would certainly fulfill my request.

Reflecting on what was happening, I came to the conclusion that with anxieties I would correct and achieve nothing, and therefore I decided to rejoice and give thanks for everything, to be happy and content with all things. This turned out to be not at all difficult. As soon as I began to thank God for this illness, peace came to my heart, and happiness began to overcome my mind.

I decided not to restrain my positivity and began to hum good songs and speak words of gratitude and periodically looked into the patient’s room, telling her of my joy. At first she listened to me with bewilderment, and then, understanding what I was driving at, decided to rejoice together with me, despite the severe condition.

I intended to go further in my happiness and began to “attack” with good wishes and blessings. My wife did not resist such a turn of events and smiled back more and more often. And my joy knew no bounds, although I understood that some proprieties still needed to be observed. In bursts of happiness I showered my wife with very many words of my love, making it clear that this was the very best medicine for her. And she implored me with her eyes to leave her in peace. But at the same time she smiled joyfully.

Leaving for work in the morning, I prepared breakfast for my wife and informed her that she did not need to cook anything and did not need to wash the dishes after herself.

I had heard that in many families husbands do not like it when their wives are ill, and it was incomprehensible to me how one could relate in such a way to someone who already feels bad. In my case I tried to free my wife from all tasks and asked her not to do anything without urgent necessity. Her gratitude knew no bounds, and, judging by everything, she had neither strength nor desire to do anything. And I understood that since my wife had come to such a state, it was already serious, and therefore she should not be burdened with anything else.

It was so pitiful for this dear little person, and it seemed that it would be better for me if I were ill and she rejoiced in life, but alas, everything was the other way around.

From the numerous tips of friends I found out that there are effective ways to fight illnesses that are universal for any case, and therefore I decided not to ask my wife about anything, but to do what she needed to take. Although she was not enthusiastic, seeing my care for her, she did not resist and obediently fulfilled all my requests and drank what I brought her.

During this period we did not manage to hold the next family council, but we were not upset about this and waited with understanding for the turning point in the course of the illness.

On the fourth day my wife woke up in a wonderful mood and without headaches. She joyfully jumped up, thinking to take up her usual chores, but, realizing that she was still weak, decided to stay in bed a little, to which I strongly urged her.

I prepared another breakfast for her, told her what to take for lunch, and went to earn our living.

In the following days the illness subsided and then disappeared completely, bringing no complications, but leaving in our life warm memories of my care and joy in the Lord.

1. Please read Prov. 17:22; 27:9; Luke 9:1; Matt. 25:36; Eph. 5:18–20, 25, 28, 33; 1 Tim. 5:8; James 1:3; Rom. 8:28; 12:9–10; Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:16–18 in the light of this lesson.

2. What did you understand from this topic?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. Have you experienced what is described in this lesson?

5. What feelings does the illness of your household members evoke in you?

6. Does a wife have the right to be ill?

7. Will illness bypass my house if I decide not to be ill?

8. Is it proper to rejoice when someone in the family is ill?

9. Are all friends’ tips during your illness appropriate and practical?

10. Is a wife entitled to count on a husband’s care if she falls ill?

11. Can families leading a healthy lifestyle sometimes be ill?

12. Does the Lord sometimes allow illnesses in the lives of His children in order to teach them something? (Job 2:3–7).

13. Do you have experience of joy during your illness or the illness of your household members?

14. Do you believe that a joyful heart is like medicine?

15. Was there anything important and new for you in this lesson?