Our Suffering of Illness is Meant to Go Far Beyond Just Us

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By Diane Bucknell “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 During our sojourn on this earth we all end up experiencing the physical and mental consequences of a fallen world. Even the healthiest people eventually realize the effects of an aging and frail body. Sickness or injuries, possibly even ones that are life threatening, are common to all, and usually there is a full … [Read more...]

A Full, Abuntant Life. . . “I Can Only Imagine”

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By Jo Franz The band “Mercy Me” has made popular the song “I Can Only Imagine,” [Listen here!] If you’ve heard it, you know it’s about wondering what it will be like to come before Jesus in heaven–will I stand in amazement? Bow at his feet?. . . I feel this song and would love to record it! Sometimes I am totally overwhelmed with the knowledge I am going to be in His presence one day because, as the Apostle John wrote, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12) I wonder what it will be like with such joy I’m overflowing with tears at times. I am amazed God is my Daddy who loves me and wants to bless me. Life Abundant? John … [Read more...]

Learning To Laugh At The Little Things With Chronic Illness

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“It is impossible for you to be angry and laugh at the same time. Anger and laughter are mutually exclusive and you have the power to choose either.” Wayne Dyer It’s those little things in life that help us keep a sense of humor about living with chronic illness. I have been in those “larger rooms” this funny video, an animated episode of Seinfeld speaks of. I will spare you the personal details, but let’s just say it involved my personal space, iodine and four medical personnel to “watch” a procedure they’d never seen before. Tickets anyone? “And we should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once. And we should call every truth false which was not accompanied by at least one … [Read more...]

Time Magazine Talks with Joni Eareckson Tada

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Time Magazine recently interviewed Christian author and disability advocate Joni Eareckson Tada . Rest Ministries is honored to be an affiliate of her ministry, Joni and Friends International Disability Center. How are you feeling? Cancer and chronic pain on top of quadriplegia is a little challenging. Right now I’m tired from the chemotherapy and that, coupled with the pain, makes it difficult. At times I’ve thought, “Lord, this is an awful lot to bear. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” And yet, I know the answer. Some people think there’s another answer, though. At the beginning of your book, you describe an astounding encounter you had in a church parking lot. Yes, this very earnest young man named David … [Read more...]

Our Stories – It May Sound Cheesy But I Am Happy

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By Stephany I have been a type 1 diabetic since I was 2 years old, so 22 years I’ve lived with this “illness.” Growing up it was hard to be different and not be able to share in the birthday treats and have “fun” food for lunches. Sometimes, I had to go to the nurses office to take shots. A very embarrassing thing when you’re 8 years old. As I got older and more mature, I was able to take control and be responsible for checking my blood sugars and taking my insulin shots. As I hit high school I let it all go and had terrible control of my diabetes. As a girl having a blind dad with many ailments because of his inability to care for his diabetes, you would think I would have learned a lesson. My dad was at peace … [Read more...]

Amazing Mother Who Lives without Arms

If you live with chronic pain & limitations, chances are you have those days where you have felt like your lack of abilities were impairing the kind of parenting that you always imagined you would do. Living with rheumatoid arthritis, I have dealt with not being able to lift my son some days when he was a toddler, not being able to go down the slides or climb many steps, & being unable to open a bottle of milk while he was screaming for it. It can be disheartening & frustrating. But I've never once had to fold laundry with my toes. Let me introduce you to this amazing woman who actually lives with no arms at all. That's right she does not have arms, & yet she is an amazing mom (with a pretty fabulous husb& we think too!) We hope … [Read more...]

When Chronically Ill People Are Assertive, Are We Not Taken Seriously?

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By Lisa Copen I had just received the third pink slip in two weeks from the lab that said my payment was passed due. Over three times I had called and my insurance company had assured me that the lab work was covered and that they would mail out a check that afternoon. This time, when I finally got a representative on the telephone, I was polite, but firm. I said that I wanted the problem taken care of immediately, and I wrote down her name and the supervisor's name. It was time to get even more assertive. When chronically ill people are assertive, is it not taken seriously? Is it assumed that we won't have the energy or stamina to fight all of the battles that we will face? When we do talk to someone in customer service, we are rarely … [Read more...]

Choosing What Kind of Life You Will Lead – Despite Illness

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The following is an excerpt from “Despite Lupus: How to Live Well with a Chronic Illness” by Sara Gorman, Chapter 1, titled, “Choose Well.” Though the article below & book are written with lupus in mind, those with any illness will find hope & encouragement! Setting out to drastically improve your life with lupus may make you a little nervous. In fact you’re probably a little scared. What if it’s really too hard? What if this path is even harder than the one you’re already on? Think of the numerous other times when you’ve felt unsure (or down right scared) regarding a disease-related experience. Maybe you were able to joke about it & laugh it off, regaining your footing & reassuring yourself that things would be fine. … [Read more...]

I Won’t Let Illness Steal My Joy

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The debilitation of my illness surprises me at the strangest times. I have a new Spring purse & want to transfer items from my shabby old one into my new one. Unexpectedly, I am overwhelmed with choices. Do I put my keys in this section or that? Where would my sunglasses best fit? My lip gloss? My wallet? My pain meds? Suddenly, I am overwhelmed by the project & push it aside. What happened to the anticipation of having a new purse? It has fallen victim to fibro-fog. There are other times when my illness steals my joy before I ever have a chance to experience it. I decline an invitation to an art exhibit because I do not know the way. (MapQuest is not helpful if I have never driven the streets before.) I reschedule or … [Read more...]

What Does it Mean to Live Healthy With Illness?

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I keep hearing people talk online about "living well" with a chronic illness or being a "healthy chronically ill person." How can I live "well" when I don't have any control over what my body does or doesn't do? It's very confusing and it feels like I'm still being blamed for being chronically ill. Can you discuss the perception that an individual with a chronic illness can be healthy? -Matt Choosing to live well with a chronic illness isn’t easy. But after living with systemic lupus for more than 9 years, I now know that taking this step is paramount to improving life with a chronic illness. It takes keen self-awareness, patience, and forethought to actually choose “well”, but it can be done, and the results are worth every bit of … [Read more...]

Rest Ministries Hosting “Patients for a Moment Carnival” May 19th

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Have you heard of Patients for a Moment Blog Carnival? Rest Ministries is the host for May 19th. . . so start thinking about submitting an entry. Each host chooses a topic & our question for you to answer in your blog is, "1 Thing. " "What 1 thing will you do this summer that is out of the ordinary, not typical of you, adventurous, or uplifting? --despite your illness!" For example, a couple of months ago my my sister, husb& & I went to CA Adventure at Disneyl& & for the first time since I've had rheumatoid arthritis (17 years) I got on a roller coaster that went upside down. California Screamin' was a blast. I was sore, using a wheelchair, getting sick, & even had thrush so bad I couldn't actually scream. But I decided on a whim to do … [Read more...]

What Do You Do When Illness Forces You To Rest

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I received this email awhile back & thought Helga's thoughts well-spoken. Whatever might have happened, not every thing is bad news. Jesus is on your side. You may be forced to spend a lot of time on your own, but utilize that time. I find it enables me to get a lot into the Word, & to pray for many people. I see all the people rushing as I used to do, & many are hurting. I have learned to sit & watch people. As a lady walks past I say, "Thank you Lord that she can walk. I am sure she needs it more than I now do. Maybe she has family," & I start praying for her needs, & I find that as I do that I can cope with any hurt in my heart. I am convinced there is no hurt in your heart that you cannot overcome as you reach out to the needs of … [Read more...]

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