by Keith Hewson
Growing up, I had my share of bumps and bruises. At 22, I was in a terrible car accident. In the following years, I suffered a compound leg fracture, and an accident on my bicycle caused more stitches and a concussion. By my late 30s widespread chronic pain had settled into my body. Now at 64, I struggle with chronic headaches and pain in my face muscles and jaw, back, feet and ankles. I’ve been to many specialists, but there is no long-term relief.
One of the hardest things has been feeling alone in my pain and suffering. Even though I have wonderful Christian friends, a community of faith at the corps, and a loving family, as my pain grew worse, so did the feeling of isolation.
But I’m not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health, anywhere from 100 to 133 million Americans suffer from some form of chronic pain or illness.
When I couldn’t find a support group for chronic pain and illness in my area, I started asking, “Where do hurting and wounded Christians go to find help and support?”
A little more than two years ago, the Holy Spirit put on my heart that I should start a support group at my corps, Dearborn Heights Citadel, Mich. To address my own situation, I’d researched and read many Christian authors on the topic and had inadvertently become specifically equipped for this ministry. I still wasn’t sure I could lead a group but made a plan and shared it with my corps officers at that time, Majors David and Shannon Martinez, who enthusiastically gave their support.
So, in 2021 I started the Chronic Pain and Illness Ministry at my corps. We have weekly meetings attended by both corps members and people from the community. The group has been more successful than I could have imagined.
Studying God’s Word, we have been on a journey together to gain a better understanding of suffering. We have been learning to use that to strengthen us and regain our often-lost hope. Our group is a safe space where we can share our deepest hurts and pain without judgment; we pray for each other earnestly. God knows our pain and suffering on an intimate level and wants us to come to Him for help and comfort.
We’ve learned another important aspect is the opportunity for those in the church with chronic pain to serve. Though they may be physically limited, they can still do many things. For instance, they can be part of a prayer team, be greeters or make caregiving phone calls. They want and need to give and feel useful.
The most beautiful thing about this group is that we have learned to love each other and share our burdens as the Bible encourages us in Galatians 6:2 (NIV): “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
