Chronic Illness and Jesus by Paula Short

Do you have a chronic illness? Or do you know someone who does? I have several invisible chronic illnesses that play a significant part in my functioning of day-to-day living.

A chronic illness is a condition that lasts for a long time, keeps coming back, or continues to happen. Often Continuing indefinitely; perpetual; and constant. Some have no cure. When you add in the invisible factor, it becomes frustrating both to our loved ones and us.

An invisible illness doesn’t affect your outward appearance, but it affects how your body functions and feels.

Some invisible chronic illnesses include but are not limited to trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia, migraines, and anxiety. Also, depression, arthritis, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pain, scleroderma, Lupus, osteoarthritis. And the list goes on.

What symptoms do you or a loved one have? Some may have mobility problems, fatigue, pain, digestive issues, incontinence, sleep disturbances, cognitive and mood issues. Also, brain fog, anxiety, depression, physical limitations. And this list goes on too.

Sometimes friends or family may say things that are unhelpful or hurtful. Sometimes they are just trying to help without realizing that their comments or statements are unhelpful or hurtful.

Unhelpful and hurtful comments and statements include:

• But you don’t look sick. - Not everyone looks like what’s happening to them.

• Everyone gets tired. - Indeed they do, but there is a difference between healthy and unhealthy tired.

• You’re just having a bad day.

• You’ll feel better if you exercise or lose weight. - Yes, we probably would. But it’s complicated with mobility and balance issues.

• I know someone who has (insert illness here), and they’re doing great.

• Have you tried? - Chances are, we’ve tried a lot of things.

• It’s all in your head. - Yes, some things are like trigeminal neuralgia, migraines, etc.

• You need to get out more. - Again, that’s easier said than done for people who have mobility, balance, or panic issues.

• It could be worse. - Yes, it could.

• I know how it feels. - Unless you know exactly how someone feels, don’t say it.

So, where does Jesus come in?

While I was suffering from depression, mourning my broken body, I had had enough. This couldn’t be all there was for me, anxiety, depression, and grieving my past person.

I had been in therapy to help me cope with, learn, and get through grieving the past me, the one without chronic illnesses. My therapist said something that stuck with me. She said, “you are not that past person; you’re today’s person.” She said today’s person has disabilities.

I was stunned that such a simple statement held such a profound Ah-Ha moment for me. I began to have a great desire to draw near to God than I had ever been. Seeking him in the everyday and finding his beauty within my ashes.

John 16:33 unmistakably tells us that we will have troubles. But not to fret because Jesus has overcome the world.

“Three times, I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NIV)

Jesus is our primary example. He went through tremendous suffering, but it wasn’t without purpose. He provided a way to salvation for us and knew that he’d one day be glorified.

Friend, whatever the case, whether a chronic or debilitating condition, we receive something far more significant. We receive God’s grace, humility, more robust character, and ability to empathize with others. I think, at times, we must share in Christ’s suffering.

If you are someone with a chronic illness, consider that others may not know what to say to you. More than not, they are trying to be helpful. If something they say is unhelpful or hurtful, please tell them gently.

If you know someone with a chronic illness, please be mindful of your words. Don’t be afraid to ask the person about their condition and how it affects them. Ask how you can help; learn about their illness. Sometimes just a listening ear is all that is needed.

Paula Short

Paula considers herself an ordinary Christian woman traversing through the wilderness of an everyday mess. She is a retired Social Worker with a BSW who lives in Western Pennsylvania with her emotional support dog, a spoiled rotten amusing beagle named Little Girl. She has two adult daughters off doing their own thing. Please visit her blog at: https://simplycoffeeandjesus.com/