by Christine Odell.
In part one of this article, (11th September) we considered the question ‘What can ‘life in all its fullness’ (Jn 10;10b) mean for the Christian with chronic illness?’ The common experience of chronic illness challenges both the ‘norms’ and the expectations of ‘the good life’ in society today. It is also an experience that challenges the ways we think about it and respond to it in our churches. In part two of this article we look at how we can help those with chronic illness receive the gift of life in all its fullness, the gift of wholeness that is offered freely to all, to be experienced even in the brokenness, limitations and frustrations of their everyday lives.
We need to start by understanding the nature of the chronic illness, how it affects those who live with it, and by considering our theological understanding of illness. This will also involve us in challenging commonly held myths about chronic illness (see part one for a list of these).
We have to resist the temptation to offer simple explanations or quick and easy fixes. These can alienate rather than incorporate those in our Christian community who are ill. Liuan Huska, in her book Hurting, Yet Whole[1]talks about the tendency of Christians to think they can ‘fix’ chronic illness. This is not helpful to those who are seeking a ‘new normal’ for their broken bodies and lives. We do not choose illness, but illness is a reality of human existence, and we seek to discover a ‘real’ God in that reality alongside us. We cannot dispute the role of Jesus as healer in the Gospels, but that physical healing can be seen as just one aspect of the drawing in of those outside the ‘norms’ of society to a shared ‘life in all its fullness’.
We have all been exhorted to learn to be good ‘listeners’, and listening to those with chronic illness, their carers and loved ones is what should facilitate their continuing incorporation into the life of the Church. It can be very hard for us to understand what having a chronic illness means to an individual. Listening to them attentively can be painful and disturbing, when our instinct is to want to ‘fix’ things. But that listening is essential if we are to:
- Follow Christ in sharing their pain (physical, mental and emotional);
- Include their experience in the life-experience of our community;
- Make our responses and offers to them appropriate to their needs.
Huska refers to the thinking of Parker Palmer in his book A Hidden Wilderness; Welcoming the Soul and Weaving Community in a Broken World,[2] where he talks about creating ‘circles of trust’ and learning to ask honest and open questions that make space for ‘the soul to come out of hiding’. Honest and open questions are those that do not presume to know the answers.
Preparation to enable us to do this is not without cost, but starts with acknowledging the reality of suffering. We need to re-learn how to lament together. The Psalmists knew how; Psalm 88 starts ‘Lord, you are the God who saves me. Day and night I cry out to you. Please hear my prayer. Pay attention to my cry for help. I have so many troubles I’m about to die. People think my life is over. I’m like someone who doesn’t have any strength. People treat me as if I were dead. I’m like those who have been killed and are now in the grave…’ (Ps 88:1-8 NRiV).This psalm that reminds us that we can share our often very mixed feelings with God.
It is easy to ‘forget’ those who are unable to be a physical part of our worshipping community, for whatever reason. It is as if they have become part of the eternal ‘communion of saints’ without checking in at the pearly gates! Yet if we accept that God values whatever we can offer, as Jesus valued the widow’s small coins (Mk12:41-44),we must make room for all in the Christian body. We must allow them to add their experience to ours, to increase our understanding of where God is in this suffering world. We must listen to their needs and cherish the opportunities for us to grow as we learn how to meet them.
There are practical ways in which we can show our continuing care for those with chronic illness, after consultation with them or their carers – ‘meal ministries’, medical advocacy, physical presence, (or, if more appropriate, online); financial help, inclusive communal events (with the provision of different kinds of accessibility key)– whatever is suited to their condition or need. And we should not forget to offer love and support to carers and family, who will have their own physical, spiritual and emotional challenges.
The poet, John Keats, took issue with his contemporaries’ description of life as a ‘vale of tears’. It was, he wrote, ‘a vale of soul making’. Life in all its fullness can be experienced even in the presence of real suffering. And it is a life that we need to share together.
[1] Liuan Huska, Hurting Yet Whole (IVP, 2020)
[2] Parker Palmer A Hidden Wilderness; Welcoming the Soul and Weaving Community in a Broken World (San Francisco Jossey Press 2004)
Theology Everywhere 
Thank you once again Christine, you make so many important points here, two stand out for me:
1. “Liuan Huska, in her book Hurting, Yet Whole details about the tendency of Christians to think they can ‘fix’ chronic illness. ”
I have come across this so often, my son who has a congenital condition sometimes refers to himself as the resident cripple- if he ever asks for prayer people assume it is prayer for healing that he is asking for- he asserts that he has a whole life- a life in all its fullness, we really do need to look at our theology of illness and what wholeness really is. My own experience is with mental health issues, I remember clearly someone telling me that nobody wants a depressed minister, my response os to speak about struggles and not to hide them.
2. …”if we accept that God values whatever we can offer, as Jesus valued the widow’s small coins (Mk12:41-44),we must make room for all in the Christian body. ”
Yes , yes and yes, if the pandemic has taught us anything it is that this is the lived experience of many, that making room for those who might otherwise be neglected is so important. From their homes people can offer so much, a listening ear, prayer, even things like admin support and creativity.
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A deeply thoughtful post. We may be able to help people with chronic illness and they may be able to help us. About 50 years ago I met Mrs T who was suffering from a wasting disease had a very poor prognosis. She was a joyous person and I asked her why, seeing that her illness was going to kill her, was she so joyous and fulfilled. Her response was that for 10 years she fought against it but the joy/contendedness came when she accepted the illness and lived the fullest life that she could in those limits.
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