As George contemplates life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), how would the Christian worldview inform his view about the value of his life as a person?

As George contemplates life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), how would the Christian worldview inform his view about the value of his life as a person?

According to the Christian worldview, even in the midst of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), George should view his life as precious and a gift from God, and hence it should not be taken away by a human being, but God.  Accordingly, even with this agonizing disease, George is expected to endure pain and all experiences associated with the disease (Shelly & Miller, 2009). A painful experience such as the one George is experiencing should not make a person make a decision to end their lives. In Christianity, people believe that human beings are supposed to hold on to their faith even during painful sufferings.  George is still a valuable human being even in the face of a disabling and devastating disease like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Life is a precious gift from God and since then sin entered the world, suffering is part of everyone’s life.  Therefore, George’s life is still valuable to God and God has a reason why he allowed George to experience amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). George should try to figure out what God is trying to teach him with the disease and use his current condition and life, for the glory of God. Therefore, George should continue persevering the suffering in the virtue of respecting life and Christian’s teaching regarding the value of life, as being God’s precious gift (Saybey, 2016).

The kind of values that the Christian worldview would focus on in deciding regarding is George should opt for euthanasia or not include that suffering is part of life and just like Christ suffered we should accept suffering (Shelly & Miller, 2009). Jesus died on the cross and before His death, he underwent significant suffering and at some point, asked God if it is His will, He should take away the cup of suffering. Therefore, George’s suffering is God’s will and therefore, he should accept the suffering and ask God for sufficient grace to be able to endure the suffering. In addition, God uses suffering to bring humanity closer to Him and make them repent for their sins. Accordingly, George should use the suffering to discover what God wants him to learn and get closer to God (Meilaender, 2013).

As per Meilaender (2013), expectations about life after death largely determine the way an individual welcomes the probability of death. If Christians view everything and especially suffering and death as per God’s will and the final hope of life after death and Jesus’ resurrection, this can assure a person that God is in control of everything. In this regard, George should view his life and sickness and God’s working in his life and being His will. Moreover, God has a purpose for our lives regardless of the suffering and only God is the giver of life.