"I can say, in all honesty, that without the incredible people who make up my life, I would not be here now writing these words."
-Susannah Cahalan
Susannah Cahalan had a great support system of family and friends who walked with her throughout her sickness and recovery. She credits the love and encouragement of her family and friends with her ability to thrive. At the conclusion of her book, Cahalan is asked, "If you could take it all back, would you?" Her response:
"At the time I didn't know. Now I do. I wouldn't take that terrible experience back for anything in the world. Too much light has come out of my darkness" (252).
Despite such a horrific and life-threatening experience, Cahalan was able to return to the world she left behind with wisdom, strength, and courage thanks to the dedicated love and encouragement of her family, friends, and doctors.
Although the aspect of Christian faith was not prevalent in Cahalan's novel, I found myself wondering how her journey and recovery might have been shaped in a Christian community- in particularly, the Church. As members of the Church and followers of Christ, our purpose should be to love others the way God commands us to love. The Church, often thought of as the Body of Christ, should serve as a reflection of the words, deeds, and love of Jesus Christ. Nowhere in Scripture is the church commanded to marginalize or stigmatize the sick, the poor, or the sinners. Why, then, is that sometimes the case? In Romans 15, Paul says, "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up" (Romans 15: 1-2). So often those dealing with mental illness, addiction, or other hardships are blamed for their suffering, even by those in the church. In the book of Matthew, we are commanded not to judge others because only God has the authority to do so; only God is able to judge the actions of His people against His ultimate standard of perfection. Despite our ultimate imperfections, however, God loves us anyways. For this reason, He calls us, too, to love each other- to love His creation. Therefore, as to the role of the Church in recovery, I believe our command is simple: we are to love. We are to love those who are suffering and those who are actively working to edify past mistakes. The love we show should be patient, kind, gentle, and understanding- a love that seeks to glorify the ultimate love of a God whose love surpasses all things.
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