Lisa Copen lives with the chronic pain of rheumatoid arthritis. Instead of retreating within herself, she is reaching out to other chronically ill people with the news that God loves them just as they are. Copen created Rest Ministries Rest Ministries, an online outreach to others with chronic illnesses. Hope Keeper’s groups exist around the world now to provide information to those suffering with any chronic condition. Copen also ministers to those who suffer through her various books.
Beyond Casseroles
It is so difficult to know how to help someone with a chronic condition. Beyond Casseroles suggests over 500 ways to help and encourage someone with a chronic illness, whether they be your coworker, a friend at church, or a family member. The suggestions in this book are short and practical. It will help anyone who knows someone with a chronic illness.
Why can’t I Make People Understand?.
Every person needs validation from others. Those “others” may be family members, friends, church family, or coworkers. A chronically ill person needs this too. They long to be understood and seen positively just like those temporary-able-bodied people do. Unfortunately, Christians with a chronic illness are often made to feel that their faith isn’t sufficient or God would heal them.
Chapter 1, Rejoicing in God, reminds us that everyone is commanded to rejoice—not just those with no problems. She reviews what scriptures teach us on the subject. It is so difficult for those of us with any type of chronic problem to remember that God will continue to make us in His image even though we have problems. We are simply to turn over everything to God. That’s hard to do when you hurt or when you have (chronic problem) but it is TRUE!
Being Gentle in how we treat others is the topic of chapter two. We will never be able to make people totally understand what our lives are like. It is futile to try. When they make discouraging remarks to us, we need to remember that God isn’t as concerned with their remark as He is with our response to what they say.
The next chapter (3) teaches us about Acknowledging God’s Presence. One comment that jumped out at me was this question:
How are you living your life? As a child of God or as a victim of man? We can’t have it both ways; we can live as ones who are forgiven and offer forgiveness to others. Or we can be ones who are always distraught that life is not fair. People with this attitude always have an excuse or complaint, never choosing to accept any responsibility for their circumstances or their attitude.
Copen further explains that if we act the victim, we’re letting other people control our emotions rather than letting God’s power control us. Satan, through people, LOVES to defeat us by turning us into victims.
One of the most difficult things for me, and for many others who suffer, to do is to not worry about things. Letting Go of Anxiety, chapter 4, addresses this issue. I don’t know about you, but it is so easy for me to get upset and worry about things like finances BECAUSE chronic conditions stopped my career. It is so hard to remember that God has promised to provide all me needs and has never failed to do so for many years.
Chapter 5 teaches us about Praying and Petitioning for our needs and for others. Then Chapter 6 discusses Giving Thanks as God commands. It can be easy to pray at first, but I wonder how many get discouraged and wind up turning against God because He doesn’t answer their prayers like they want Him to! It is so hard to give thanks when He doesn’t provide that instantaneous healing we would all like to experience.
Every Christian, not just the chronically ill, need to understand the message in Chapter 8, “In Christ Jesus”. We all have an obligation to reach out to others and to lead them to the Lord too.
Recommendation.
I wish pastors would keep the first book on their desk to hand to people that need to know how to help a chronically ill friend. It would smooth the pathway for continued friendships or even new friendships.
The second book is an outstanding book to have ready to give to a church member that says, “I was just diagnosed with ..whatever…” This book could be used as a devotional for them while they begin the often drawn out process of determining what medical treatment might provide some relief. It would encourage them.
Copen’s writing style is easy to read. Her writing is very logical. I particularly enjoyed reading through the review, reflection, scripture, action, and prayer suggestions at the end of each chapter. She doesn’t tell us to just “pray about it” and she doesn’t promote “instant healing” if you just believe enough.
