Earthsickness

Earthsickness is, at least for those who hate the destruction of life and the disease of this world, a very real disease. We all suffer from it at one time or another, though it is not often diagnosed as nor is called, earthsickness. When it is out of control and taking over our being it gets diagnosed with more technical terminologies, like "depression" or "anxiety." But when one sees the damage in this world cause by sin... whether it be incurable illness, death, war, famine, crime, pollution or the monotony of hard labor that goes simply "nowhere," in an endless cycle that does nothing but drain every once of life from your being, the end result can best be described as "earthsickness."

Some people believe earthsickness is just something a person makes up in their head, something they can simply cure by applying their own inner strength and power, if they wanted to, as if to deny that earthsickness is very real. Its true too that the disease and it's effects can be masked or lessened by drugs, but this is not without side effects. It can also often be warded off for a time by good things like good food and good friends, even by fame and fortune, but it persists as long as one is alive until there is no more strength or power in a person's body, will or mind to continue living. Earthsickness ultimately culminates in death.

People often feel earthsickness when considering, or experiencing, the meaninglessness futility of chasing wealth, fame and fortune, when realizing it means absolutely nothing. Sometimes it attacks you when you come to the realization that you did something really stupid, something you regret doing whose results you cannot change and it is often intensified when someone that you love dies. One sure diagnosis of earthsickness is the feeling best expressed by one who is yelling the words, “Stop the world I want to get off!” at the top of their lungs. It’s the overwhelming feeling that your heart is sick, and you need a remedy before you die of pain and anguish, sorrow too heavy for one person to bear.

Jesus addressed earthsickness in the beatitudes…but he said that if you are earthsick, consider your self blessed. HE said, blessed are those who mourn, those who are poor in spirit, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who suffer in spite of being gentle and kind and even pure of heart. It is strange, but the truth is that it is in moments like these, in the midst of our earthsickness, we are apt call out to God for help and put our faith and trust in Him.

Earthsickness is what gives a person a realization that they are in need, a desire to get a glimpse of God as they question life and death. It's not a good feeling and a terrible state to be in if you do not have hope, for when you are suffering earthsickness, you realize the world is not what you thought it was, not what you have been told it is by others either, and you feel that it is all spinning out of control to a bitter end, with you or without you. Their is good news for those who suffer and mourn... Jesus is the cure.

As the great physician he said, “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are
sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32)