Heresickness

 

Then Elihu continued and said, “Wait for me a little and I will show you that there is yet more to be said in God’s behalf” (Job 36:1-2).

 

There’s a pointed story of a young man who was sent away to boarding school. He was lonely, he found it difficult to make new friends, and he was challenged by his studies. A teacher sensed that he was having a difficult time. “What’s the matter, John?” the teacher asked with empathy. “Have you got a bit of homesickness?” The boy thought a moment and then answered, “No, Sir, I don’t have homesickness; I have heresickness!”

 

“Heresickness” is a malady we all face at times—more often than we want to admit. The here and now of our present situation can be frustrating and unpleasant. The people and problems at this stage of life, the difficulties of the situation in which we must work, the demands of family—all make us wonder what God is trying to teach us at the present time.

 

For “heresickness” God offers “now-help.” He comes to us to help us learn, grow, and mature. Often He sends a person into our lives to help us ask the right questions and deal with reality. When there is no place to go, the Lord intervenes to help us maximize where we are.

 

Elihu was that kind of friend to Job. All his other friends intensified the problem of his suffering with very poor theology and lack of empathy. Elihu forced Job to discover God’s presence in the present. He enabled him to love God for God and to know that his Redeemer lives.

 

I think if you have read the above closely that you might agree we all have a tendency to suffer from “HERESICKNESS” at times. While you allow these thoughts to sink in a bit—you might be able to reach out and help someone else with this malady.

 

Pastor Ken