Random thoughts on how to survive chronic illness:
- Grieve your losses.
- Grab beauty wherever you can (pages and pages of flowers, birds, scenery, etc. on Flickr; poetry; music; a bowl of apples) and let it seep into your soul.
- Rest.
- Find a support group, somewhere, somehow. For an excellent online ministry with LOTS of support groups, look here: http://www.restministriessunroom.com/
- Give everything to God in prayer, including the “little things.” The more “little things” you can give to God, the more peace and ability you may have to follow Him in the “big things.”
- Ask God what He wants you to do. Many of us with chronic illness can no longer participate in activities we used to do. Maybe God will direct you to a new venture that can bless others. Recently, I heard that some are able to make beautiful homemade cards to give away and even sell. Cool!! Which leads me to my next idea….
- Create beauty, even if it is just plating your own breakfast with some fresh chives lying across your scrambled eggs and your gluten-free pancakes drizzled beautifully with molasses.
- Relish what you can do.
- Read the Bible. I like to go here: http://www.biblestudytools.com/ because I like being able to search quickly and I don’t encounter petrochemical inks on the computer. 🙂 On the other hand, some have to limit their time on computer for health and other reasons.
- Accept God’s grace (and forgiveness).
- Read a good book (find free books on Amazon Kindle) or watch an inspiring movie.
Lastly and most importantly: trust Jesus as your Savior. No, Jesus will not “make everything better” in your life, nor promise you instant healing, nor give you everything you want.
But God, through Jesus, offers one thing that nothing else in this world does: the Way to heaven.
I could not survive my chronic illness and related trials without the hope of heaven.
(Please email me at steveandchrista@yahoo.com if you are interested in more information about accepting Jesus and Christianity. Or you might begin by reading the book of John in the Bible.)
Your turn! What ideas do you have for surviving chronic illness?
Christa Upton Black Hills Picture Books PO Box 293 Custer, SD 57730
