Is it sometimes God's will for us to be sick?

Is it sometimes God's will for us to be sick? I read something about this today in The Sword of the Lord paper. This began as a facebook post, then I went back and expounded on it a little.

‎2 Corinthians 12:1-10
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Paul was inspired to write about 2/3 of the New Testament. I like to write, and for God to use me, and call my writings, scripture, is something I cannot even fathom. But Paul was used by God in such a way that we don't see today. Yet, he clearly declares that his illness, or deformity was not only God's will, but God-given.

One of the best passages on God-ordered troubles is in Isaiah 10.

Isaiah 10:5  O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

The Assyrians conquered the northern tribes, or Israel. God calls the Assyrians, "the rod of mine anger."

In II Samuel 12, we find God willing that a baby should die due to David's sin. And we fuss about such trivial things as depression, or headaches. God still loved David, and the baby is now in Heaven, so why do we start doubting God when something doesn't go our way?

How many souls can a Christian cancer patient affect through their treatment?
A friend's son was killed with several others in a fiery car crash while serving God several years ago. I have read of many salvations and surrenders to service that came of those young men's deaths.

So we have a choice: let our problems and imfirmities stop us from serving God, or see them as a VEHICLE to serve God. When others see us work through difficulty, it shows God's power. That is what Paul realized.

Moses complained to God about his speech problems, so God gave him Aaron as a help. Yet, who do we find boldly speaking to Pharaoh? Moses. I'm sure around the Israelites, he was still sometimes a stuttering fool, but when they saw how boldly he made God's demands to Pharaoh, they knew it was all God, not Moses. Moses worked through his difficulty, and let God's power shine through.

Paul nevers says we shouldn't ask for healing. God does still heal, and sometimes against His own perfect will.
But which would we rather have: a body free of infirmity, or a successful personal ministry?

After my original Facebook post, Bro Gerald Myers, Missionary to South Africa and a personal friend, preached on a similar topic tonight. I guess I really needed this.