Are You Willing to Wait to See God’s Plan In Your Illness?

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“But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, ‘God is truly here among you’” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25, NLT). God used that passage of Scripture over six years to speak to me. He told me that my writing would bring people to Christ! I was searching and searching for an excuse to find a reason to write because writing was too difficult for me. I was so broken. My faith was not where it needed to be. My best intentions were a waste compared to my own disobedience and lack of … [Read more...]

Am I a Hypochondriac If…

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By Lisa Copen We laugh as people say, "I think I may be a hypochondriac!" but is it really a funny matter? Not so much. Am I a hypochondriac if... I get up at 2:30 AM to google a symptom I am experiencing and I start imagining all the things it could be? It is unlikely. In today's age of having immediate information at our fingertips, it is much easier to just get out of bed and start searching than to wait until morning when the doctor's office is open and then we must decide to call him or not. In the days of our parents raising their children, rather than looking for search engine results in the middle of the night, they sat at the kitchen table with the Dr. Spock book attempting to figure out the cause of certain symptoms and if … [Read more...]

A Letter to One Afflicted With Illness (From One Who is Also Afflicted)

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Karlton Douglas, one of our regular devotional writers, had someone who has recently been diagnosed with a chronic illness write to him asking for advice in a few areas. Karlton wrote him back and then sent a copy of the letter to us to see if we would be interested in reprinting it here at Rest Ministries. I hope you will read it and comment below on what you agree with, disagree with, your experience and more. What advice would you give someone who has just been diagnosed with an illness that may last his or her lifetime? A Letter to One Afflicted With Illness (From One Who is Also Afflicted) I think most of my life with illness I have felt it is a battle the Lord and I have fought alone. Beyond praying with me and a bit of … [Read more...]

What If This Is As Good As It Gets? Facing The “Chronic” In Chronic Illness

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By Fiona Burrows I’ve recently had some treatment that it was hoped would reduce the level of chronic pain that I have or maybe even get rid of it all together. After more than 25 years of pain that for the most part hasn’t responded to different treatments and has been getting worse--it seemed strange when the specialist suggested that it could all be controlled by this follow-up treatment, and what I’d had done earlier in the year. I have become so used to living with chronic pain--I may not like it, but I’m used to it. I can’t remember what it’s like not to be in pain and everything I do, seems to have to be considered in light of that pain and how it will affect me. I guess you could say, I feel like chronic pain is … [Read more...]

I Need You, Lord. When Your Healthy Spouse Has a Medical Condition

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Dana Kennedy An antiseptic smell I couldn’t quite place permeated the air. Perhaps it was a combination of Pine Sol and Clorox. Industrial carpet woven in blues and reds needed a vacuum. A lone ant traveled by my foot. I took the damp tissue in my hand and squashed it. A few fluorescents created shadows which revealed the starkness of the room. The barren environment mimicked the fact that I was the only occupant waiting. It was the middle of the night, and I lay curled on my side wondering if my husband was going to live through surgery. I also--possibly selfishly, yet realistically--wondered if my body would allow me to make it through the ordeal. Having postural intolerance, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia severely … [Read more...]

Pastor Begins Web Site for Those with Arthritis

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Living with Arthritis is unique in that it is developed by a pastor who has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Chad Fisher says, “My site was developed and started out of my desire to help people living with arthritis. Having lived with this disease for over 30 years, I understand the difficulties, limitations, and pain associated with chronic illness. He truly wants to help and share his experiences to help others. He had not found in the typical arthritis web sites the attitude he was searching for. “I wanted to share from a different perspective. Most of the blogs or websites I read seemed to have a negative mood and mindset to them. I understand why, but I also know when facing an illness this kind of mindset is less than helpful. I … [Read more...]

From Illness Comes Unique Card Ministry

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By Debbi Farmer This was a rough week for me. One of my close friends lost her battle with cancer. Shortly after this, I lost my beloved family pet after having her in my life for fourteen years. My business has been almost non-existent the past few weeks because of the bad economy, and my health has taken a serious turn for the worse lately. I had so much I needed to say to the family of my friend. I had so much I needed to say to my family for losing their sweet pet. I needed to do more in my business, but my health would not allow it. I felt absolutely lost even knowing in my heart that the Lord was holding me and carrying me through. When you find yourself needing to convey a message to a friend or family, but you need help … [Read more...]

Resources and Gadgets to Improve Your Health When You are Chronically Ill

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By Lisa Copen It is the time of year when many people are setting fresh goals regarding their health. For one who is chronically ill, however, it can be discouraging and you can feel a bit helpless at the lack of options you have available. Well, due to technology, there may just be some new possibilities for you! Here are a few we have found below. Many people do not want or cannot afford an ipad or an iphone to be able to use the apps in many new technological health advances. If these are something you are interested in, you may want to invest in an iTouch for less than $200. It has the ability to do everything an iphone does but make calls, and there is no monthly fee. You can only connect to wi-fi in a "hot spot" (like your home, … [Read more...]

Q&A: How Can I Let People Know Their Perfume is Making Me Sick?

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I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and when people who are wearing perfume want to hug me they transfer their scent to my clothing! How can we let people know that their perfume is having the opposite intended effect on some people? That to someone with MCS, their perfume is about 20 times more intense and nauseating! I'm not comfortable saying, "Hi there! No offense, but your perfume makes me gag! No, I can't sit next to you!" If I were king, I'd lump perfume with cigarette smoke and ban it in public places! Sorry you perfume lovers-- nothing personal. I am just trying to breathe and be healthy. --Semi-silent sufferer, attending church on-line Dear Semi-silent sufferer, You are definitely not alone! Although many assume this … [Read more...]

Find a Church That Understands Disabilities

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If you are looking for a church that is more likely to understand your physical limitations, including illness, cancer, or disabilities, Joni and Friends is an excellent resource. This international Christian ministry has an updated list of churches around the USA who have shared their desire to create an environment that welcomes those who may be "differently-abled." To enter your zipcode into the search engine click here. You may also want to visit our HopeKeepers map to see if there is a church near you who has a HopeKeepers group that serves the chronically ill. … [Read more...]

When One Word Prayers Are All You Can Handle

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When the pain is excruciating, when it takes all you have just to stay conscious. . . When you know you need the Lord but you cannot read the Word, you cannot focus, you can barely form the sentences to say a prayer. . . can you whisper a word? Just a word, as a prayer? Yes! Recently during Rest Ministries Fall Bible Study many people shared that they do this, or are learning to do it. God understands even when our prayers don't make sense If you have ever felt like you could barely put a complete sentence together, don't not pray. "The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with sighs too deep for words." (Romans 8:26) Sighing the name of "Jesus" will always … [Read more...]

What We Can Learn From Mary While Living with Chronic Illness

Actress Tatiana Maslany, Nativity

During this time of year when we are celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ we can easily grow to have the Christmas story sound casual since we have heard it so many times. Mary rode a donkey, there was no room in the inn, and she gave birth to Jesus in a stable, with a star overhead. I always love to take a second look at this story, however, to find a fresh perspective on it and to personalize it. This year, as I looked more closely at the life of Mary, I saw certain traits that we all can learn from, especially those with chronic illness. Mary surrendered her own will to God's plans “'I am the Lord’s servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.'” (Luke 1:38) Mary was just a girl who had dreams of … [Read more...]

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