How can a Christian cope while suffering with a degenerative disease?
Introduction
Degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, and multiple sclerosis can be devastating for anyone, but Christians have unique resources from Scripture and their faith community to help them cope. Though suffering is inevitable in this fallen world, God promises to be with His children and conform them to Christ even in their pain. By leaning on God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, prayer and Christian fellowship, believers can navigate a degenerative diagnosis with hope and grace.
Trusting God’s Sovereignty and Purposes
A foundational comfort for Christians is knowing that God is sovereign over all things, including disease (Psalm 103:19). Nothing takes Him by surprise or thwarts His purposes (Isaiah 46:10). Though we may not understand all His reasons, we can trust His wisdom, power and love to work even this trial for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
Christians believe that God has ordained our days before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). He promises to be with us always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Knowing that God is in control and nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39) gives strength to endure each new challenge.
Jesus: A Man of Sorrows
In His earthly life, Jesus was well acquainted with grief and suffering (Isaiah 53:3). He lived in poverty, faced injustice and persecution, was betrayed and denied by friends, and endured a agonizing death. Jesus understands heartbreak and pain firsthand.
Because Jesus took on flesh, He is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses” as a merciful and faithful High Priest (Hebrews 4:15). We can “approach the throne of grace with boldness” to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus invites all who are weary and heavy laden to come to Him and find rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
Hope in Our Future Resurrection
For believers, this life is not the end. Paul says “this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Jesus promises that He is preparing a place for us so that we can be with Him (John 14:2-3).
At the resurrection, Christians will receive imperishable, immortal bodies no longer subject to weakness, pain and death (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 53-55). We can take courage that our present sufferings are “not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). This eternal perspective comforts and sustains Christians facing degeneration and disability.
The Holy Spirit’s Help
Jesus promised his followers that after His ascension, He would send the Holy Spirit to be their Helper and Comforter (John 14:16-17). The Spirit’s ministry is active in times of trial and distress. He pours out God’s love in our hearts (Romans 5:3-5), bearing witness that we are His children (Romans 8:14-16). According to God’s will and timing, the Spirit also gives spiritual gifts like faith, healing and supernatural peace (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Through His indwelling presence, the Spirit strengthens our faith and enables us to endure.
The Bible’s Teachings
Scripture offers many truths and promises to encourage those suffering chronic illness. We learn that trials test and refine our faith, developing perseverance and Christlike maturity (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5). God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18) and upholds those stumbling under their burdens (Psalm 145:14).
While God does not promise healing for every condition, He does command us to pray for healing boldly (James 5:14-16) and assures us He hears and answers according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). Even if physical healing does not come, His grace is sufficient to empower us through weakness, and His power is perfected in our infirmities (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
The Bible urges us to meditate on noble and excellent truths – whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable (Philippians 4:8-9). This focuses our minds on God’s goodness in the midst of suffering. We can also take comfort in casting all our anxieties on God, trusting He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Purpose in Suffering
God often works through suffering to draw people closer to Himself. Pain makes us realize we are not in control and our days are numbered. This fosters humility and dependence on God. Suffering also sensitizes us to the hurts of others. Those who have endured hardship are equipped to come alongside others experiencing similar trials.
By persevering through affliction, believers testify to the sufficiency of God’s grace. This brings glory to Him and serves as a witness of hope to nonbelievers. As the body of Christ, when some members suffer, it allows other members to practice sacrificial service (1 Corinthians 12:25-27). Christians take comfort knowing their trials are never wasted; God uses them strategically for eternal good.
The Church’s Ministry
Times of illness and decline are prime opportunities for the church to minister. Scripture exhorts Christians to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). The body of Christ is designed to reflect Christ’s care for hurting souls. Practical assistance like meals, rides to appointments, childcare and prayer support can make a world of difference for those in the midst of trial.
James 5 instructs church elders to pray over the sick and anoint them with oil. Prayer both brings the reality of God’s presence into their suffering and also asks God to be at work. Combined with the encouragement of God’s people, intercession builds faith and spiritual strength to press on.
God often uniquely reveals His comfort and power by using other believers to provide exactly what is needed in timely ways that only He could orchestrate. These divine appointments reaffirm God’s personal and loving care.
Living One Day at a Time
In hardship, God invites us to draw close and find rest in Him as our loving Father (Psalm 103:13) and Good Shepherd who leads us peacefully by still waters (Psalm 23). Psalm 116:7 encourages us to have our hearts at rest in God’s presence. When adversity feels overwhelming, Christians can take one day at a time, focusing on God’s faithfulness and promises for that day’s needs. Tomorrow’s burdens are not ours to carry; God will supply the strength when we reach that junction (Matthew 6:34).
Practicing Gratitude
Cultivating gratitude is powerful medicine. Though mourning and grief have their place, Christians are called to rejoice always and give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Regularly counting blessings draws our gaze to God’s continued faithfulness and provision. Thanksgiving combats negative thought patterns that exaggerate suffering and minimize how God is at work. Maintaining gratitude takes discipline but keeps our perspective anchored in hope.
Redeeming This Life’s Time
The time we have left, whether long or short, is a sacred stewardship from God. Seasons of illness remind us of life’s fragility and cultivate an eternal perspective. God invites us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). As our outer self wastes away, the opportunity is rich to renew our inner self and invest in the kingdom that cannot be shaken (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Coping with limitations often means saying focused goodbyes, distilling life to most important relationships and activities, and regaining appreciation for simple pleasures. Though pain and grief exist, God wants us to redeem this time with joy and purpose. We can glorify God through surrender to His will, investing in others’ lives, and leaving a legacy of faith.
Conclusion
Navigating serious illness as a Christian is a journey with peaks and valleys. Yet in the midst of suffering, God promises to uphold and strengthen His children. By leaning on spiritual resources like God’s Word, prayer, the Holy Spirit’s help and Christ’s body, the church, Christians can experience God’s comfort. He works constantly to conform believers to His Son’s image, even using hardship and disability to accomplish His loving purposes in and through us. At day’s end, Christ’s resurrection hope outshines even the darkest valleys. The day is coming when God will wipe away every tear and make all things new (Revelation 21:4-5).
