It’s Alzheimer’s – It’s Time For Extraordinary Loveনমুনা

Where is God’s goodness in Alzheimer’s disease?
By Pastor Curt Seefeldt, Director of Church Relations at The Lutheran Home Association

God is always by our side with his goodness, even if we do not see it or feel it. 

Since Jesus predicted that his people would have challenging cups to drink, we know that sickness and sorrow are things that God permits to come upon us. But he does not allow them to come our way without good intention. God promises that his plans and purposes are good, even though we may find them difficult to accept. God assured his Old Testament people when they faced a serious challenge, “I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). God still has good in mind for his people today.

We have to admit that it is hard to look at Alzheimer’s as a “plan to prosper.” However, it is important to remind ourselves of God’s plan to provide good things for us is not a promise that life on earth will be pain-free or without problems. Nor is it a promise that, if I suffer now, I will eventually see God’s good things coming my way while I am still on earth. In Romans 8:28, Paul assures us that “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 

That is a passage worth rereading because it is easily misunderstood. All too often, as a Christian, I think the passage promises that the good which God promises to work in my life will be both obvious to me and, ultimately, pleasant for me. The passage does not promise either. Rather, it simply promises that good will come, somewhere, somehow. 

Yes, it may be that the good will be something that I experience personally, but it may also happen that the good will be only for the benefit of others. God will decide. It may be that the good will become obvious to me during my lifetime, but it may happen that I never see how God works out the good on this side of eternity. All of this is up to God.

Yes, in the Old Testament, God did reveal the good of his plan to Joseph. Joseph was the great-grandson of Abraham. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers, then falsely imprisoned, and finally forgotten in jail by everyone except God. But after years of challenges and misery, things changed. Joseph was elevated to a powerful government position. His job was to store food in anticipation of a seven-year famine and, when the disaster arrived, distribute it to the people. He fed the entire nation of Egypt and regions beyond.

Eventually, Joseph was able to reintroduce himself to the brothers who had sold him into slavery. He joyously provided food and a livelihood for both them and their families. He was able to assure them that he forgave them for their hatred toward him. More importantly, he saw how God had turned his brothers’ sinful deed into something good. He told them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).

Yes, Joseph’s experience provided a happy ending to him personally. He held a prestigious government position. But look carefully at Joseph’s words. He never pointed to his personal success as the good that God accomplished. Instead, he emphasized that his suffering put him in a position to help others. He referred to “the saving of many lives.” That is what really brought him joy as he looked back at God’s plan. 

So what are the blessings that God may be choosing to accomplish through the Alzheimer’s affecting you? It may be the steadfast witness that a Christian gives to a caregiver, family, and friends by living joyfully and confidently under difficult circumstances. It may be the growth experience that results as a family comes together to provide for a loved one’s needs. Or it may be the character building that the person with Alzheimer’s undergoes as he or she deals daily with declining health and rises to the occasion with grace, confidence, and dignity. (Paul speaks to this in Romans 5:1-5.) There are many “maybes,” but one thing is sure: everything in life, including Alzheimer’s disease, the Lord promises to be working out his plan to serve his good purpose.

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, I want to learn to trust what I don’t see with my eyes. When life doesn’t appear to be “good” to my own way of thinking, direct my vision to your instruction for assurance. You make it clear you have good plans for me and those I love. Comfort me with this thought: You kept the promise to save me from my sin when it cost your Son’s life to get it done. You most certainly will keep your other promises, including those to bring good throughout my life, even when I face tough challenges. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.