What a conversation about sickness, the death of public figures, and the fragility of human life can teach us about health and living wisely.
A Conversation That Stayed With Me
Yesterday, I went to see my lawyer. While I was there, he was on the phone with a friend. They were discussing a pastor who was ill and arranging an appointment to visit him.
During their conversation, his friend made a statement: “Sickness doesn't kill God's anointed.”
My lawyer responded with a question: “What killed T.B. Joshua?”
It was a brief exchange, but it raised a question about how we understand sickness, health and mortality. At the time, I did not know how much more significant that conversation would feel the following morning.
Today, October 15, 2026, news emerged of the death of Toluwani Sings, the gospel singer whose passing has prompted grief among admirers and members of the wider music community.
The timing was striking. Only a day earlier, I had heard a conversation about sickness and the assumption that certain people might somehow be beyond its reach. Now, news of another death had brought the reality of human vulnerability to the forefront of my thoughts.
It made me reflect on something we sometimes forget: no matter how healthy, influential, active or admired a person appears, none of us is completely beyond the reach of illness or death.
The Illusion of Being Untouchable
We often associate good health with strength, energy and the ability to carry out our daily activities without difficulty.
When someone appears physically active, works consistently, travels, performs or fulfils their responsibilities, we may assume that everything is well.
Sometimes, the person themselves may feel perfectly fine.
But outward appearance does not always tell the full story of what is happening inside the body.
Some health conditions develop gradually without obvious symptoms. Others may produce warning signs that are easily overlooked or mistaken for ordinary tiredness, stress or temporary discomfort.
In some cases, a medical emergency occurs unexpectedly, even in someone who appeared well shortly beforehand.
This is not a reason to live in constant fear. It is a reason to understand that good health should never be taken for granted.
The absence of obvious symptoms is not always proof of the absence of disease. Equally, we should not assume that every unexpected death results from an undiagnosed illness. Each case requires reliable evidence and, where appropriate, medical investigation.
The important lesson is that appearances alone cannot tell us everything about a person's health.
When Someone Dies Suddenly, Questions Follow
The death of a public figure often leaves people searching for answers.
What happened? Was there an illness? Were there warning signs? Could anything have been done differently?
These are natural questions. Death, especially when it appears unexpected, can be difficult to comprehend.
However, there is a difference between asking questions and assuming we already know the answers.
Without an official statement or reliable medical information, we should not attribute a person's death to a heart attack, stroke, an underlying condition or any other specific cause.
In the case of Toluwani Sings, the cause of death had not been publicly confirmed in the information available at the time of writing. His passing should therefore not be used to promote an unverified medical explanation.
Responsible health awareness begins with respecting the facts.
It also requires sensitivity towards the family and friends who are grieving. They deserve privacy, compassion and time to process their loss without having to contend with rumours and speculation.
Health Is Not Something to Postpone
One of the most important lessons we can draw from the fragility of human life is the need to take our health seriously before a problem becomes an emergency.
Many people postpone medical appointments because they feel too busy. Others ignore persistent symptoms because they hope the problem will resolve on its own. Some seek medical attention only when discomfort begins to interfere significantly with their daily activities.
Financial pressures, limited access to healthcare, fear of a diagnosis and competing responsibilities can also prevent people from seeking timely care.
These challenges are real, and not every illness can be prevented or detected early. Nevertheless, there are practical steps that can improve our approach to health.
Pay attention to persistent or unusual symptoms. Do not repeatedly dismiss changes in your body, especially when they are new, worsening or interfering with normal activities.
Seek appropriate medical advice. A qualified healthcare professional can assess symptoms and recommend investigations or treatment where necessary.
Know your health risks. Age, family history, existing conditions and lifestyle can influence which health checks may be appropriate for you.
Take preventive care seriously. Depending on your circumstances, this may include blood pressure checks, diabetes screening, recommended vaccinations and other age-appropriate assessments.
Respond promptly to emergencies. Sudden collapse, severe difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, or signs of a stroke require urgent medical attention.
These steps do not guarantee that a person will never become seriously ill. Their purpose is to help us make informed decisions, identify certain problems where possible and obtain care when it matters.
Health awareness is not about predicting death. It is about respecting life.
The Danger of Assuming That Everything Is Fine
Sometimes, our assumptions about another person's health are based on what we see.
We see someone working and conclude that they are healthy. We see someone smiling and assume that they are well. We hear that someone has not complained about an illness and conclude that nothing is wrong.
Yet people do not always disclose their health concerns. Some are unaware that a problem exists. Others may be managing symptoms privately while continuing with their responsibilities.
This is why compassion matters.
We should not assume that someone is exaggerating when they describe feeling unwell. We should not pressure people to ignore their symptoms simply because they appear strong. Nor should we expect people to disclose private medical information to prove that they need help.
A culture of health awareness should make it easier for people to seek assistance, not harder.
It should encourage people to speak openly with qualified healthcare professionals, ask questions and take reasonable precautions without being made to feel weak or fearful.
The Importance of Living With Perspective
Thinking about death can be uncomfortable, particularly when it involves someone whose life appeared full of promise.
But acknowledging our mortality does not have to make life frightening. It can help us recognise what deserves our attention.
We can spend years pursuing financial stability, building careers, acquiring property, meeting deadlines and fulfilling responsibilities. These things matter. They help us provide for ourselves and those who depend on us.
Yet our health is part of the foundation upon which many of these ambitions rest.
What is the value of working relentlessly if we consistently neglect the body that enables us to work? What is the benefit of postponing every health concern until a more convenient time if that time never comes?
There must be room in our lives for preventive care, rest, meaningful relationships and attention to the needs of our bodies.
This does not mean abandoning ambition or living as though death is always around the corner. It means recognising that responsible living includes more than financial and professional success.
We should make plans for the future while also taking reasonable care of ourselves in the present.
What This Moment Should Remind Us
The conversation I overheard at my lawyer's office and the news that followed have reminded me how easily we can become accustomed to thinking of illness and death as things that happen to other people.
We may assume that a person is too young, too active, too accomplished or too strong to experience a serious health crisis.
But human vulnerability does not depend on public recognition, professional success or outward appearances.
At the same time, we must resist the temptation to interpret every death as evidence of a particular medical failure or to turn another person's loss into an opportunity for speculation.
We may not know the full circumstances surrounding someone's death. What we can do is examine our own attitudes towards health, respond responsibly to symptoms, support those who are unwell and treat grieving families with dignity.
Perhaps the most useful response to an unexpected death is not simply to ask why it happened, but also to consider what we can learn about the way we live.
Are we paying attention to our health? Are we taking persistent symptoms seriously? Are we encouraging those around us to seek appropriate care? Are we making time for the things that sustain our well-being?
These are questions worth asking while we still have the opportunity to act.
Conclusion: Do Not Take Tomorrow for Granted
Life is valuable partly because it is uncertain. We cannot control every event, prevent every illness or predict every outcome.
But uncertainty does not make responsible action pointless.
We can seek medical care when we need it. We can make informed decisions about preventive health. We can offer support to people who are struggling. We can stop treating our well-being as something that can always wait until tomorrow.
The death of a public figure reminds us of our shared humanity, but the lesson is not that we should live in fear. It is that we should live with greater awareness.
Take your health seriously. Do not ignore what your body may be telling you. Seek professional help when necessary, and extend compassion to people whose health struggles may not be visible.
We cannot determine how long we will live, but we can make wiser decisions about how we care for ourselves and one another.
Life should not have to remind us of its value through the death of someone else.
Let Us Discuss
Do you think people tend to take their health seriously only after a major illness or an unexpected death?
Why do you think some people postpone medical checks even when they have the means to seek care?
What practical steps can families and communities take to promote greater health awareness?
Share your thoughts respectfully. Your experience or perspective may encourage someone else to take an important step towards better health.
Comments
Post a Comment