Chicken Pox Fever

Me, Gunnar & my wife Tammy

Yesterday (Tue, 11-Oct-2011), my wife Tammy called me at work and asked that after I got off work and after visiting her dad at the nursing home, to go to my oldest daughter, Kimberly's, house and help her with my grandson, Gunnar, whose 10 months old. Gunnar suddenly broke out with the chicken pox the day before and he was running a fever of about 101.5°F and was a bit fussy. Kimberly hadn't worked all day but stayed home to take care of him and she was a bit wore out. So immediately after work and my normal visit to see my father-in-law (Bob), I went to Kimberly's house. Gunnar was happy to see me and I ended up following him around the house (holding onto his shirt to balance him) as he toddled all over seemingly wanting to play with all his toys at the same time. He was, for the most part, very happy and giggly with an occasional whine for his mommy. But once a hug was received from mommy it was back to trudging around the house. Eventually he began to get sleepy and Kimberly gave him an oatmeal bath (to soothe his pox marks) and put his PJs on him. We wallowed on the bed with him (he's so funny!) until he began to get sleepy. Kimberly took his temperature and it was about 101.3°F.

Kimberly hadn't eaten dinner yet so she asked me to lay down with Gunnar while she got something to eat. She also asked me to pray for him, for the doctor had told her if his temperature stayed above 101°F that she should bring him back in. So as she got something to eat, I laid my hand on him and focused my mind on Jesus and the way He rebuked a fever like He rebuked a demon and a storm. The same Greek word, epitimao, translated "rebuked" is used in all three passages:

Matthew 8 (ESV)
26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 

Matthew 17 (ESV)
18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. 

Luke 4 (ESV)
39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

Thus, Jesus' attitude toward the storm that could've hurt His disciples, and the demon itself, was very harsh. And this same harsh attitude was exhibited toward the fever of Peter's mother-in-law. So with this in mind, I rebuked the fever in Gunnar. I did this several times in the Name of Jesus. After some time I could tell his was cooling off. I got the thermometer and took a reading... 100.3°F. Wow, praise the Lord, a whole degree! Also, I noticed his breathing stopped being shallow and quick and started showing very peaceful and relaxed rhythms.

My wife arrived to help, and so I kissed him "bye," hugged Kimberly, and left for the house. Later on, my wife arrived home and we all began to settle down for bed. She suddenly got a text message from Kimberly, "Tell dad Gunnar broke out in sweat just now. He has no fever!" Amen! Praise You, Jesus.