Active Theology

Over the past month, I’ve been receiving texts and emails that say things like, “The U.S. is facing the worst flu surge in 25 years”, “Flu peaked, but another wave is coming”, “Super flu is here”. But it didn’t take these messages for me to know that many people are down and out from illness right now. 

My family had back-to-back illnesses recently. It was one of those times when you think you’re good and you conquered a week of illness, but then it hits again a week later. You’re left half-joking, half-serious, wondering, ‘What did we do to deserve this?

That’s where we were about a week ago with our three kids. You know the feeling – it’s 3:00 in the morning, the humidifier smoke has engulfed the bedrooms, and you’re calculating how little sleep you’re about to get as your child cries through the pain of a sore throat, trying to breathe through a stuffy nose, and is reunited with that night’s dinner (sorry, I was trying to figure out how to put it lightly). 

But even in a moment like this, you’re on holy ground. 

God is not absent in the ordinary. 

Small and Significant Moments

Flu season is always the same. The repetition usually has no surprises – fevers, coughing, sniffles, thermometers beeping, endless laundry. As parents, we know what to expect. 

But it still feels like suffering, because, in a way, it is. 

Romans 8:22 tells us that “the whole creation groans.” Ever since sin fractured the world in Genesis 3, creation has been groaning. Sin and suffering were brought into the world, and now we still feel their effects. We feel it in the middle of the night as illness runs its course. 

But whether it is catastrophic misery or mundane suffering, God is near in it all. 

The Unseen is Seen

Flu season doesn’t bring applause or Instagrammable moments. It’s hard. It’s dirty. And it’s hard to see the impact when night after night, you’re cleaning, comforting, and doing your best to keep things afloat. 

We often forget in those moments that God is near and sees what we do. 

Matthew 6:4 says, “…And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” While the context of this verse centers on giving to those in need, the principle transfers. Your child, who is in need, is receiving so much from you. God sees it when no one else does. 

When you refill the water cups, change sheets in the middle of the night, and keep track of every dose of medicine, you are seen by our Heavenly Father. 

When you feel unseen, remember that God is with you and notices every little effort of love. 

Jesus Understands

Jesus knows and understands our weaknesses. He understands the suffering of illness. Hebrews 4:15 gives us a glimpse of Jesus’ humanity. He experienced life on earth; he can sympathize with our weaknesses and shortcomings, even though he met them with perfection while here. 

Jesus knows what it’s like to inhabit a body that gets tired. 

One of my favorite songs, “The Road, The Rocks, and The Weeds” by John Mark McMillan, poetically says…
I’ve got no answers for hurt knees or cancers
But a Savior who suffers them with me

We look for validation and applause in all the wrong places sometimes. Or we ignore our suffering by distracting ourselves. 

But ultimately, our deepest comfort comes from a Savior who suffers with us.

We can look to our Savior for rest and encouragement, knowing that he understands and has stood in the pain. 

Overflowing Grace

Flu season is a time when we need to be overflowing with grace, and oftentimes that grace needs to be directed at ourselves. 

As parents, we are so hard on ourselves already when things are going well. Then flu season hits, and we are quickly frustrated, desperate for quiet and sleep, and feel distant from God and sense that we’re feeling spiritually dry. 

Give yourself some grace. 

Think about the number of times you got out of bed, checked the temperature again, and stayed next to your child’s side when they needed it most. 

The small acts of love and care you are giving your child are actually an opportunity for them to experience the love of the Father through you. Don’t downplay how significant this is. 

You’re doing your best. Remind yourself of that and don’t dwell on shortcomings. 

What would you tell a fellow parent going through the same thing? 

“Give yourself some grace”.

Hope on the Horizon

Even when it might not feel like it, flu season will end. I try to remind myself that when it’s 3 a.m., and I’ve been staring at the ceiling for 2 hours, and I can’t sleep because all I hear is coughing and Daniel Tiger in the background. 

This year, I found myself meditating on how all of our suffering is temporary, not just flu season. 

Revelation 21 paints a picture of what eternity has for us. Part of that description includes “no crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Our bodies will be restored, there won’t be any flu seasons (praise God), and the current sufferings we experience will be a far distant memory. 

It’s not always easy, but our hearts and minds would benefit from meditating on this truth in the middle of the night instead of entering into digital psychosis as a result of doom scrolling. 

Final Thoughts

God is not disappointed by your exhaustion. 

He isn’t grading your patience. 

Rather, He’s near when it’s 3 a.m. and you’re hardly awake in the rocking chair. 

He delights in the unseen care you give to your sick child. 

He rejoices in your faithfulness to your family. 

The same God who neither slumbers nor sleeps watches over your house while you do too.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2, ESV

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Craig is a worship pastor at Wallula Christian Church and the creator of Active Theology. He loves coffee dates with his wife, reading, and riding his bike. A few of his favorite things are third wave coffee, vanilla ice cream, and plain t-shirts.