Paula @ Gracefilled Moments 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.
I would love it if you would continue to read the article here at the March 2022, edition of the Faith On Every Corner Digital Magazine to find out more about chronic illness and Jesus.
Photo by Ales Krivec on Unsplash
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Thank you, Paula, for a beautifully written post on things we need to understand about others and ourselves with chronic pain/illness. Giving us ideas of how to approach another with possible questions, ears to hear, ways to respond to unhelpful ones who mean well, all are so pertinent for so many of us.
Jesus bore it all for us. He suffered so dearly for ones such as us. I am so grateful. I learned something here that I had never heard: trigeminal neuralgia – so I looked it up. I have postherpatic neuralgia on the face (as I had shingles there many years ago) but did not know the differences. Now I do.
loving you, ~ linda
Thank you so much for your kind words Linda. It sure is difficult at times. I have fibromyalgia, trigeminal nuralgia, chronic pain,Complicated migraines— Their rare most people get auras, I get stroke symptoms prior to my migraines. I have other disabilities as well. loving you too. Blessings.
What a good quote to temper and guide our responses – in the world there are challenges – but Jesus overcame the world! I’m a fix-it person trying to learn how to listen with compassion. I am learning that it’s not my job to try and fix – just to love and encourage! Thank you for these words on how to listen and encourage!
Thank you for your kind words Maryleigh.
Paula, thank you for sharing this article and your story. It is so important for us all to understand that not all illness is the same or curable. Thank you for reminding us to be compassionate towards one another. There are some things which linger and have no cure. But we can walk the road with another, encouraging and offer much needed support.
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words Joanne. and thank you for lending me your listening ear,
Paula, a precious post. So much misinformation out there about chronic illness and so many sufferers that must do so in silence. Thank you for advocating for those with chronic illness. I love the perspective you shared on what your therapist told you, “you aren’t the past person, you’re today’s person”. We can all benefit from that-we are not defined by past mistakes nor are we presently defined by limitations. We are who God created us to be in this moment.
Your welcome Donna, Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. And lending me your listening ear.
The older I get, the more I understand the need to treat others with kindness. We just don’t know what others are dealing with.
Amen Anita.
Your therapist’s words, “You are not that past person; you are today’s person.” Wow! That is a significant statement! Paula, I appreciate you sharing that suffering brings something to us, “We receive God’s grace, humility, more robust character, and ability to empathize with others.”
It sure was a significant statement that stuck with me. Thank you for your kind words Lisa. Blessings.