My illness? An opportunity to come closer to God

When Chikaodili fell ill, she found herself at the beginning of a journey into happiness, in God’s hands.

Anambra State, Nigeria, March 3, 2011

Tags: Gratitude, Joy, Cooperators of Opus Dei, Sickness I met Opus Dei while I was studying to be a nurse. I have always felt attracted by the serenity that comes of Christian living and the message of St Josemaria, which I could see in the people of Opus Dei.

But now I understand it much better because of the state I’m in. I’m not sad about being ill and having undergone several operations, because I see it as God’s plan for me. Now I have discovered in greater depth, what mortification means in St Josemaria’s teachings.

“Is it not true that as soon as you cease to be afraid of the Cross, of what people call the cross, when you set your will to accept the Will of God, then you find happiness, and all your worries, all your sufferings, physical or moral, pass away?
Truly the Cross of Jesus is gentle and lovable. There, sorrows cease to count; there is only the joy of knowing that we are co-redeemers with Him,” he wrote in The Way of the Cross.

Why me?
I find it difficult to digest any kind of food, so I have an intravenous feeding tube. Because of this I have lost so much weight that I look terrible, but I know this is another thing I can offer to God.

I have learnt how sickness is something to offer up to God for different intentions. In fact I have so many intentions I feel I don’t have enough to offer! I’ve offered my illness for family members, the Holy Father, the Prelate of Opus Dei and its members, and for the whole world. Offering up my sickness means I never complain about it or ask God “Why me?” I try to be happy instead of thinking about the constant suffering.
When my illness began I realised it would be an opportunity to come closer to God.

Chikaodili Rosemary Nnoli is a Co-operator of Opus Dei from Anambra State, Nigeria.