Probably the best known definition of health was described by the World Health Organization:

 Health is a state of
perfect
physical,
mental
and social
well-being
and not only
the absence
of
illness and infirmity.

An illness can provide the impetus to turn to one's own inner self in order to initiate a long-overdue development process. Accepting what was previously unacceptable is the chance for a profound healing.