5 Real Ways to Access God’s Strength When You’re Sick

Illness is a part of life, and whether we are suffering from a short-term sickness, chronic problems, something insignificant, or something life-changing, we need God’s strength when we are weak. However, sickness can come with fatigue, mental strain, and numerous limitations. How can we be sure that we are still accessing the strength of our Lord when our human bodies are failing us?

Here are five ways to seek God and be filled with his strength when you are under the weather.

1. Read His Promises

The Bible speaks to sickness and healing through stories and specific scriptures. Do a word study on healing, sickness, or other similar words and concepts. Read stories of God’s care for the sick and injured. Remembering what He has done will encourage you in your own trial with illness. It will also provide hope and keep your mind on His ability instead of your weakness. Journal His promises and write down memories of His faithfulness.

Jeremiah 30:17 For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord.

2. Embrace Your Weakness

Remember that ultimately, God is the one who works in us to do anything. In order to access His strength, you need to stop striving on your own. Let your body rest. Don’t try to go on in your own strength, or you may end up in a worse situation than you already find yourself. Take care of yourself physically and do what is practically necessary for your recovery, knowing that you can not do it all, nor does God expect you to. Read or listen to stories of others who have endured illness and been sustained by God.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

3. Seek His Help

Pray specifically to the Lord for comfort, healing, and wisdom for how to manage your illness. Ask Him to ease your anxieties and to manage the difficulties associated with the illness. Pray in Jesus’ name and in His will, and He promises to answer. God has also provided the body of Christ as a means of help. Seek them out. Accept help from them through prayer and hands-on assistance. He has created minds that understand medicine. He has created natural remedies and created remedies. Seek all His means of help in your illness. Ask your church or close friends for prayer or physical assistance.

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength[a] of my heart and my portion forever.

4. Rest in His Plan

Illness is usually an interruption to our life and our plans, but we know that God’s plans not only prevail but are best for us. Remember this and look for new opportunities for growth during this season. Is he trying to teach you something or do something in your life? Avoid complaining and seek ways to be joyful and teachable. Make a list of ways you see Him working in your life and in your sickness.

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

5. Trust His Wisdom

God knows how your body works and what is wrong with it. He knows how long you will be sick, how you will feel, and even how to heal you. Trust in this in order to avoid fear. Remember that His timing is also perfect. Offer up your sickness to the Lord and ask Him to do His will in it. If you are spending more time sitting, seek His wisdom by taking extra time to study His Word.

Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

God is the great physician who will come “with healing in his wings,” and we can access that healing, whether physical, mental, or emotional. Our minds can transcend our body’s capacity when we lean on the one who created them in the first place. Our strength may be limited, but His is not. Praise the Lord.