R U a Patient or ? Archives - Rest Ministries - Chronic Illness and Pain Support

Can You Think of Others To Relieve Pain?

April 29, 2013 By admin 50 Comments

DOES THINKING ABOUT OTHERS HELP YOU COPE WITH CHRONIC PAIN? This #devotional writer shares that despite her skepticism it did just that. When you think about those around you does your pain lessen?

When we take the time to think of others can our pain really be relieved? Vicki shares how this can be possible. “When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to her, ‘Woman, where is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home" (John 19:26-27). “Just think of others.” Did your doctor ever prescribe that for pain relief? Who can even think of others when in pain? Recently, I had dental work done. Some of you might wince just at the thought--for good reason. The pain is merely the beginning of what elicits such fright. Financial fear hits when the work is done. You leave with a numb face and an empty wallet. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Friend Has Illness, Friendships, Support Group Leader, What's New?

When You Suffer With Those Who Suffer Do You Feel God’s Presence?

April 22, 2013 By admin 6 Comments

WHEN YOU SUFFER WITH THOSE WHO SUFFER WHAT HAPPENS? We are meant to encourage one another, to sit quietly beside be who is suffering, offering a shoulder to cry on and our presence. Do you let other suffer with you? Do you send a message to people that you would like their presence or do you send unspoken signs to back off?

Do you suffer with those who suffer or do you back off and say "I'll pray for you"? Pastor Chris explains. "Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15) God so often sends people into our lives at just the right time. Sometimes it’s just the right time for you. Sometimes it’s just the right time for them. Most often, it’s just the right time for you both. God’s heart is for community, for sharing life together. The reason God gave us one another is to intertwine our lives together in a way symbolic of the way He intertwines His life with ours. God is like a grand baker, He is always mixing ingredients. He mixed together His creation of Adam and Eve in the creative act of marriage and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Finding Purpose, Friend Has Illness, Grief, What's New?

Chronic Illness and Marriage: Thoughts From an Ill Husband

February 13, 2013 By admin 5 Comments

AN ILL HUSBAND SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON MARRIAGE and what has gotten him and his wife through those tough times. Nice to see the perspective from a man who lives with illness. #chronic #illness #marriage

Most of the articles you see online show what marriage is like from the perspective of an ill wife. Karlton Douglas, our devotional writer, would like to share with you what he believes has helped his marriage survive. I thought it was a nice change to have the perspective of an ill husband too. May it bless you, Lisa "The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called "woman," for she was taken out of man.' That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." (Genesis 1:23-24) Marriage takes a lot of work. It requires compromise, not always getting your way, sacrifice, and putting the needs of others before yourself. A successful marriage is one … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Marriage, Person w/ Illness, Person w/ lll Spouse, What's New?

Small Groups Provide Support Through Illness Journey

February 12, 2013 By admin 2 Comments

HAVE YOU STARTED A CHRONIC ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP? One woman shares how it has blessed to her have taken this plunge and how she loves seeing how God provides for the members of her group, sometimes just through the friendships of one another. #supportgroup #illness

Leading a support group for the chronically ill may be the last thing you have considered taking on. But if you feel the nudge from God, don't ignore it. Laura explains. “Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” (Job 8:7) It’s the group no one wants to join but we are all happy to have met. It is comprised of 11 women and two men, ranging in age from mid-30’s to 60’s. We talk, share, nod, listen, pray, eat, and cry. We have one main thing in common--chronic illness. We are a HopeKeepers group which I began recently with a friend at church. I would never have dreamt of started such a small group, but my path has taken this turn and I am excited. I had worked nearly half my life as an elementary … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Church Leader, Devotionals, HopeKeepers Resources, Support Group Leader, What's New?

Romantic Ideas for A Chronically Ill Woman to Romance Her Husband

February 11, 2013 By admin 3 Comments

ROMANTIC IDEAS FOR A CHRONICALLY ILL WOMEN TO ROMANCE HER HUSBAND - when "hot and bothered" has a whole new meaning of hot flashes and annoyance you know it's time to start adding a bit of romance into your life--even if you DON'T feel like it -- you will be glad you did. #chronic illness #romance

This article is for the ladies and here is one for the men if you have an ill wife "Hot and bothered!" For most people these words create images of being twisted up in sheets, breathlessly reaching out to the one you love. For those with chronic illness, however, "hot" is more likely to refer to one's thyroid condition, night sweats, or a heating pad on high. "Bothered. . ." Well, let's just say when your body aches, everything makes you feel bothered: a cat that won't move off your leg, a joint that continues to throb, and a husband that is able to snore through minor earthquakes. It can be hard to be romantic! You may be surprised to know that nearly 1 in 2 people live with a chronic illness in the U.S.A. That means a whole lot of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Love, Marriage, Person w/ Illness, Person w/ lll Spouse, What's New?

What Does A Patient’s Dream Medical Office Look Like?

November 7, 2012 By admin 9 Comments

Have you ever walked into a medical office and thought, if I see one more waterfall or People magazine I am going to scream? WEGO Health asks for their daily writing challenge “if you could, how would you redesign a medical office?" Day #7. Lisa Copen The medical office. The exam room. The hospital. Oh, how we would like to get our decorator's ideas out at some of those places where we spend so much time. I asked some of you what your dream medical office would look like and some of your answers were the exact opposite of one another. For example, some of you liked the water fountains found in many offices, others of you said you hated those. Maybe you have heard too much water trickling right before painful procedures and its … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Doctor, Founder's Blog, Medical Professional, Organizing, This is Me, What's New?

Mobility Devices When Shopping With Your Spouse

August 2, 2012 By admin 5 Comments

Mobility isn't just a way to get around, it may also be finding someone who knows how to push you, as Michele explains with her husband as the helper. "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22) The other day my husband surprised me with a special shopping trip to my favorite store--Dollar Tree. Yes, you read correctly, a dollar store. Not just any dollar store but one that truly measures up to its name--nothing in the store is over a dollar. It did not take long before there was a damper on our special outing. As we approached the store’s door, we were immediately reminded as to why we stopped coming to this store. The sign next to the entrance of the store shows wheelchair … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Coping Skills, Devotionals, Marriage, Person w/ lll Spouse, What's New? Tagged With: husband pushing wheelchair, mobility

Responding With Grace To Those Who Offer New Cures

July 19, 2012 By admin 6 Comments

When someone with good intentions presents the latest new cures for your illness, how do you respond with grace and not resentment? Michele shares. “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:20-21) Almost daily I receive messages from someone who suggests I try something that has helped them. Knowing they are well meaning, I appreciate all the suggestions; although I feel that they do not understand my chronic illnesses; for what may help one, does not mean it will help me too. Even when I’ve tried the latest “fad” or treatment, months later my body becomes immune to the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alternative Treatments, Devotionals, Explaining Illness, Friend Has Illness, Healing, Hurt Feelings, Invisible Illnesses, What's New? Tagged With: new cures

Awareness Week Preparations Begin For Those with Invisible Illnesses

July 17, 2012 By admin 4 Comments

We have started our summer preparations for Invisible Illness Awareness Week! Hi, Friends! I am excited to be kicking off our summer prep for National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week! Did you know Rest Ministries is behind this awareness week? Rest Ministries began National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week (NICIAW "for short" -- I know it's a mouth full!) in 2002 and so we are celebrating 10 years this year! When we first began the awareness week, we had a chatroom for our virtual conference and the term "invisible illness" was rarely even seen online. Through the years, the support of many of you have made this awareness week one of the coolest events online, as thousands join in for the virtual conference (where … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Announcements, Attitude, Coping Skills, Events, Explaining Illness, HopeKeepers Resources, Illnesses, Invisible Illnesses, Person w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: awareness week, invisible illness awareness week

Remembering To Give Comfort Even When We Are in Pain

July 6, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

While coping with chronic pain the last thing we may feel like doing is to give comfort to someone else. But that is often when the Lord uses us the most. "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me." (Psalm 13:5-6) Summer is a time when my husband and I are very busy with volunteer work at a Christian Conference Center. We really enjoy our helping and feel so fulfilled as we feel we are doing the Lord's work as we watch so many young people grow in their faith. I start out the morning feeling so alive and full of joy. As the day goes on and I have been on my feet for a long time, the pain from neuropathy gets severe and the constant burning and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Finding Purpose, Friendships, Overwhelmed, Support Group Leader, What's New?

“You Are Too Young to Be That Sick!”

June 14, 2012 By admin 16 Comments

"You are too young to be that ill! Oh, you are too young to be dealing with that kind of pain." Why do simple, even well-intentioned words hurt so much? By Lisa Copen At the age of twenty-four, a thousand miles away from my family and living in a new city, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Over a period of four weeks and about eight doctor’s visits, I finally found a physician of internal medicine who listened to me explain my symptoms; in less than two days I had a diagnosis. Despite the terms “chronic” and “forever” I felt relieved to know the label that described my chronic pain. Few of my friends, however, shared my enthusiasm for a diagnosis. The managers at my office were more concerned about the fact that I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Coping Skills, Depression, Explaining Illness, Friend Has Illness, Friendships, Invisible Illnesses, Need to Know, Person w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: Arthritis, Chronic, Conditions and Diseases, Fibromyalgia, Health, hidden disabilities, Illness, invisible disabilities, invisible illness, Life Disrupted: Getting Real About Chronic Illness in Your Twenties and Thirties, lisa copen, Pain, Rest Ministries, Rheumatoid arthritis, San Diego, you are too young, you dont look sick, you look fine

A Chronically Ill Husband: Reflections From His Wife

June 12, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

What happens when your ill husband can no longer do or be all that he was before? Does it change your love? No, you look for God's mercies that are new every morning. I Heard a Bird Sing I heard a bird sing In the dark of December A magical thing And sweet to remember: “We are nearer to Spring Than we were in September,” I heard a bird sing In the dark of December. by Oliver Herford Winter and summer are my husband’s least favorite seasons. I have an ill husband. Although his immune system is perpetually low, he always seems to hit his lowest in the winter. I have to fight against personal dread of the winter due to this. Knowing the Father of mercies, I am always on the hunt for the new “mercy of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Caregiver, Marriage, Person w/ lll Spouse, What's New? Tagged With: Caregiver, caregiver for spouse, Chronic, chronically ill spouse, Eeyore, husband with cancer, husband with illness, ill husband, Person w/ lll Spouse, Sunday, wife with cancer, wife with illness