“Illness is some form of external searching. Health is inner peace. It enables you to remain unshaken by lack of love from without and capable, through your acceptance of miracles, of correcting the conditions proceeding from lack of love in others. (T18)”
Affirmation: “Health is inner peace.”
Reflections:
1 – Health Is Peace
Perhaps this passage will remain unclear for some time as we study A Course in Miracles. We may not fully understand for what we are searching when we become ill. But surely we have recognized, over our lifetimes, that we are peaceful when we are in good health. Good health can be either emotional or physical; it makes no difference.
2 – Need a Break from the Daily Routine?
Some writers believe that we become ill when we need a break from our daily responsibilities. Sometimes, in this work-a-day world, we don’t think we can have a moment, or a day, to ourselves unless we get sick, forcing us to slow down. It may be helpful to realize that we may need to slow down, overall, if sickness dogs our steps. We are trying to do too much.
3 – There Is Always Time for What Is Needful
Perhaps, you may say, I have very real responsibilities and obligations that I cannot shirk. To this I would say that there is always time for what is needful. This idea came to me just before I started a graduate program, one which promised to be filled with unknowns and, I did not know, perhaps much hard work. But remember the Sabbath. The Bible is often very practical in what it recommends, and a day of rest is as practical as the ideas of A Course in Miracles. We will treat others better if we are not frazzled. If this seems too much to ask, perhaps we need to take a look at our priorities. We will be of no use to others if we are not taking care of ourselves. We will become inwardly focused, in a harmful way, a way in which we do not properly appreciate the significant others in our lives. And life will go by so fast, with our missing some of the important things.
4 – Refrain from Attack
Our emotional health can be seen in that many of us have no problem with the Course concept of refraining from attack when we are at peace. When stress happens, though, we may find it all too easy to succumb to attack and also the accompanying anger. This is not good emotional health.
5 – Physical Illness
Physical health is frequently a challenge that either brings us closer to God or seems to drive Him away. We can respond either way, but the obviously better way is to seek God in our suffering. He will be there. And we will not have to wait long.
Prayer:
Dear Father/Mother,
Surely you are with us in good health and bad. When we are in good health, may we experience gratefulness. When we are ill, may we experience the grace to be accepting of that which we do not understand.
May we move closer to You in health and in illness. May our emotional and physical condition make no difference in the zeal with which we seek You.
Amen.
MIRACLES EACH DAY 