Illness and the worship leader

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JORN on July 20, 2010 at 7:19pm

Chris,
My husband was diagnosed with a painful neuromuscular disease a few years back that threatens to steal his health and independence. He’s in constant pain and has to push himself every day. Some days I really don’t know how he does it. It constantly feels like there is a monster outside the door waiting to pounce on him at any moment. I try not to let myself go down the road of “what if’s”.

One thing I have been chewing on a good bit of late is the simple idea of being grateful for our salvation. Why does one man read scripture and find life-changing truths while another does not? Why can one look at a phenomenon of nature and understand God’s glory while another cannot? I don’t know the answer but I count myself among the blessed. I think it helps keep me from asking “why us Lord?” or “Why my husband?”. I hope on some level you can count yourself among the blessed even though you may not feel that way right now.

As for leading worship, my heart goes out to you and I’m in prayer for you!!!!!! This is so hard! I really don’t have answers for you and my heart just aches for you. We can only seek God’s will and remain obedient. Maybe it is God’s will that you take some time off to mend. Allow others to lead as well and let others pray for you and minister to you. Maybe God is still using you to move others but in a different way.

I pray God blesses and heals you! Please keep us updated and let us know how you are doing!!!!

Permalink Reply by Al Hilgendorf on July 20, 2010 at 7:31pm

Wow, Chris. I'm praying for you even as I write this. Truthfully, I've not been in such a situation, but I know that God has grace for you. If you can do it, then do it. If you can't, then don't be ashamed. "Therefore there is now no condemnation..." And if people are asking, then, yes, give them the straight answer. Maybe come up with a 10 second statement ahead of time that's truthful but doesn't sound like your whining. Does that make sense?

al

Permalink Reply by Rick Cogbill on July 20, 2010 at 8:08pm

Hey Chris, I'm praying for you in this difficult time. May God grant you the wisdom you are seeking. Here is a verse to think about:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Don't be afraid to be comforted by the people of God. By letting them see your weakness (and don't confuse this with sin; your illness is not sinfulness), you will allow them to be the hands of Christ as they reach out and support you in this time of testing. So yes, be honest when they ask how you are. Keep it simple, but be real, as you would want them to be if the roles were reversed. Because they really care, just as you would.

To your first question, yes, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, but the question is, what does He want to give us strength for right at this moment? Sometimes He wants to heal; other times He wants us to know what it means to live by grace (just like Paul did when he prayed to have his "thorn" removed. He was told, "My grace is sufficient for you"). In no way is it hypocritical to recognize our physical limitations. To constantly hide them would be putting up a false front to those we lead. We would be sending out the message that Christians are supposed to be Superman, but we're not. We are never meant to be great people of God; we're simply people of a great God.

I agree that we leaders are held to a higher standard, but it's not the standard of extreme physical endurance. Rather it's a standard of unshakable faith and upright moral character, among other things. Let the people know that you still trust God even in this difficult time, even when it's hard to get out of bed; it's the greatest gift that you can give them...and to yourself.

Rest in God's arms, my brother. Take this time to draw close, for the relationship matters more than the task.

Permalink Reply by Andy Bartlomain on July 20, 2010 at 9:34pm

Chris I'm truly sadden to hear of this, and I pray for health and strength during this tough time. One of the things that kept coming to mind when reading your post was that GOD IS LOOKING FOR YOUR HEART OVER YOUR HAND. Does God gift us? Yes. Should we offer to God our talents in service to Him? Yes. Is God MORE interested in WHO WE ARE over WHAT WE CAN DO? ABSOLUTELY!!! Please, don't confuse what you do for God with who you are in God. God is more interested in you as a person then as a musician, worship leader, church leader, etc... Christ didn't die so we could be worship leaders. He died so we could have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. So again, don't confuse relationship with responsibility, it's not even close!

"so at what point in pushing ourselves through the hard health times do we say "I can't"?" When our health (part of who we are as a person) becomes inadequate in aiding us as leaders (part of what we do as a person). Get healthy, then get back to what you do as a leader. Being a leader doesn't mean we have EVERYTHING together. Good leaders are aware of their weaknesses, and don't try to hide them. It's in our moments of weakness that we can allow others to be our strength. Here's a secret: your team more than likely knows your weaknesses anyway (musically, organizationally, relationally, etc...), so don't try to hide it from them, but get it supported by them.

Permalink Reply by Jo on July 25, 2010 at 10:01pm

Hi Chris, I'm so sorry to hear about your health setback, and to be honest, I've not had to deal with any major health issues while I've been leading worship, but about three years ago my Pastor, a wonderful man of faith, was diagnosed with a stomach tumour which ended up being the size of a football after the hospital had lost his records and he went untreated for six months.
We are part of a believing church, and see God at work week to week and so when this happened to our Pastor, it was a great shock. But after he told us about it, he wisely took some time off from ministering and spent that time with God. We serve a loving God who brings us through and this is what He did with my Pastor, yes, he had to undergo an operation (altho he insisted on a scan before they cut into him!) but miraculously, the tumour was attached by a small membrane to another membrane and had no effect whatsoever on the rest of his organs or blood or anything - so when they removed it, all traces of cancer were gone, praise God! But God didn't stop there, while he was out of action, his relationship with God was so deepened that in turn this has translated into some of the most amazing teaching we've had, and we have matured greatly as a Church; God didn't bring the cancer, but he brought a light from the darkness that we have all benefited from.
There is no shame in taking time off to recuperate, be honest when people ask you how you are, you can still tell them that no matter how you feel now, you're believing for the best, I'm certain that, as with us, it will not affect their faith negatively, and just think of the great testimony at the end! One of the most beautiful & precious things we've been given is hope - Chris, speak out daily scriptures on healing - like taking your medicine, (this is what my Pastor did & it's what I did when it looked like there was no hope for my son - & he is completely well) God's word is true, and His will is health for you in every area & not confusion.
I totally agree with the other comments that have said to you to use the time to draw near to God,
God Bless
Joanne

Permalink Reply by Toni on July 30, 2010 at 10:47pm

A little bit of 'heresy' first. All things are NOT possible - only what you've been given grace and faith for, and no more. We need to live in God's reality, and that is that sometimes we are allowed to get sick and even die because that is what God has called us to walk through. So I would ask you, where is your heart in all this - do you feel that God has called you to be up there on stage and to push through with all that you have, or do you feel His hand on you to give you rest and peace to recover.

FWIW I'm normally one that will play even when I'm really ill. However in the last 2 weeks I've had shingles, and have been at peace to just stay home and recover - someone who came round to pray for me even confirmed it. So I'd suggest you walk in the grace God has given you, whether that's to lead or rest. This also releases you from walking through it in your own strength, which won't bless you, the people or God.

As for what you tell people, you need to be discerning and judge what you can say, but truthfulness is better than deception, and people will mostly see through the 'how are you - I'm all right" routine when you clearly aren't. One thing I've also found is that people often appreciate vulnerability in their leaders, and drawing someone who asks quietly aside and telling them a precis of the truth will most likely make them respect you more and treat you with greater honour. Conversely if you cover something up then everyone will play the guessing game, knowing there's an issue and be miffed that you tried to hide it from them.

Sorry I'm so late to comment - I hope this is useful.

Permalink Reply by chris siegle on July 31, 2010 at 9:47pm

Toni......nothing is to late, and all is useful....thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and suggestion with me.....they have helped...

Blessings
Chris

Permalink Reply by Rick Cogbill on July 31, 2010 at 4:23pm

Chris, how are you feeling these days? Hope the treatments are going well.
Rick

Permalink Reply by chris siegle on July 31, 2010 at 9:53pm

Rick.....


Now starting week four!.....have had some weight loss issues, but met with a nutritionist Friday who helped hugely....she explained how the brain and body treat malnutrition, what the mind goes through and how thought processes change and made me see what was happening....the funny thing is that the doctors never mentioned a nutritionist consult until it was almost to late to "self remedy"......she gave me some recipes on how to make calorie huge shakes, and how to approach the issue of eating.....she was a bright light in a very dark place......another one of God's timing things......rarely early but NEVER late!......started the shakes Friday, and did not require sleep, feel mentally much more alert, happy, etc.....a true blessing.....God bless you for asking...........

Blessings
Chris

Permalink Reply by JORN on August 1, 2010 at 12:53am

Chris - still praying!!!! Thanks so much for the update! Sounds like you got some good advice from the nutritionist. High calorie, high protein is the way to go. Don't know if you are having trouble with your mouth and throat but there's something called "magic mouthwash". It sometimes helps make it easier to eat if you have sores.
God Bless!!!

Permalink Reply by Junjie on August 2, 2010 at 3:14pm

My take on this, for what it's worth - God doesn't need me to prove anything for him. It's entirely up to him to heal me and glorify his name in that way (granted, I'll be spending even more time on healing Scriptures should I be in your position). And sometimes God wants me to take a break and show me that he loves me for who I am, not for what I can do for him. :D

Permalink Reply by JORN on August 16, 2010 at 1:09pm

Chris,
Just checking in and lifting you up and letting you know there are people out there who care.
God Bless!!!!!!

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