Spiritual guidance powered by AI and grounded in Scripture
Your Question:
Can I still be a good friend with chronic illness?
Answer:
As a pastor, I've seen firsthand the impact of chronic illness on individuals and their relationships. While it's natural to feel frustrated or helpless when faced with a chronic condition, I believe that it can actually reveal the kind of people we are. When we sacrificially care for others with chronic illness, we demonstrate a love for life, for theirs and ours, and for the God who sovereignly gives life and calls us to be a caring community. In fact, many people who have chronic illnesses can testify to the ways in which their condition has taught them valuable lessons about perseverance, gratitude, and trust in God. As one author notes, "Health is the best thing in the world except sickness." While it's not always easy, being a friend to someone with chronic illness requires a commitment to be present, to listen, and to support them in their journey. It's not about trying to "fix" the problem or alleviate the symptoms, but about being a steady presence in their life. As a friend, you can play a vital role in helping someone with chronic illness navigate their condition. By being willing to listen, to learn, and to grow alongside them, you can help them see the blessings that God is bringing into their life, even in the midst of suffering. And as the author notes, "If you are not engaging with depression, it can become a comfortable and predictable friend, but one that is ultimately destructive." By choosing to be a friend to someone with chronic illness, you can help them break free from the passivity of depression and find a deeper sense of hope and purpose in their life.
Sources:
introduction biblical ethics
robertson mcquilkin
depression
edward welch
addictions a banquet in the grave
edward t welch
practicing the way
john mark comer
systematic theology
wayne grudem
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