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Illness Can Confuse Our Perspectives and Mess Up Communication

May 24, 2013 By 17 Comments
HAVE YOU EVER BECOME TONGUE TWISTED AND ASKED FOR LICORICE INSTEAD OF LETTUCE? This #devotional writer has! "Brain fog" of illness can add to the confusion when we are trying to communicate with others, but it can also make us perceive things in the wrong way. Great article on how to look at the whole situation before jumping to conclusions--which may actually be wrong.

Do you ever confuse people with an odd word that "sounds like" the word you are thinking of? Kerryn explains brain fog and how we need to not jump to conclusions by our perspective. “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good” (Romans 7:15-16). “What do you mean?” “I don't understand?” “I can't find the word!” “Can you get the thing-amee?” These are all common statements of mine, as confusion and muddled up conversations are part of my new “normal.” Brain fog is a frustrating part of so very many chronic invisible illnesses. It can cause much hilarity too, as I've asked for Vegemite instead of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Friendships, Hurt Feelings, What's New?

Can You Think of Others To Relieve Pain?

April 29, 2013 By 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?

It’s Okay to Ask for Help

April 13, 2013 By 4 Comments
IS IT HARD TO ASK FOR HELP? when you are #chronically ill this can be one of our greatest struggles. In this #devotional the writer shares her struggle with asking for help but how she has been blessed along the wa as she has learned to do so.

Most of us find it hard to ask for help but in scripture we find that asking for help is a quality in a leader God loves. Dorothea explains. . . "The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone." (Exodus 18:18) “I need help.” The first time I uttered that phrase, the words sounded foreign. It was difficult to admit that I had come to a place where I was no longer self-sufficient. I felt weak. I didn’t like the thought of needing someone to help me do the ‘easy’ chores. Whether it was my husband lifting the laundry basket or my children doing the dishes, I thought I should be able to maintain my previous level of activity. I didn’t cope well with the fatigue that resulted from the slightest form of exertion. I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Fear, Friendships, What's New?

Interruptions To My Most Important Life Connections

March 7, 2013 By 40 Comments
ARE YOUR LIFE CONNECTIONS SUFFERING BECAUSE OF YOUR ILLNESS? Sometimes everything just goes DOWN, we cut it off, shut it out, and avoid our life connections--despite the joy they may bring us. This #devotional writer shares what happened in her own head when the internet went down.

We all have life connections, but how are we using them? Do we avoid those we love the most to make other connections? Kerryn explains what recently happened at her home. “He who has ears, let him hear” (Matthew 13:9). Everyone in my house has been incredibly frustrated today! There are frayed edges around our patience, communication, and moods. This has been intensifying, until today when tempers were lost. The problem is not life-threatening or endangering our lives, but one would think so, with how it's impacted on us all. Put simply, our internet has been cutting in and out! These internet interruptions have been occurring a few times every hour, over the past few days, with increasing regularity. Not a big deal, except … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Friendships, Marriage, Parenting, What's New?

Speaking Gracious Words, Even When It is Hard

January 14, 2013 By 8 Comments
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SPOKE KINDLY TO SOMEONE WHO HAD HURT YOU? We are all hurt, but what do we do with it? Get revenge, ignore the person, share with others how they hurt us? In this devotional Karlton speaks of how vital our gracious words are, especially when we don't feel like it!

How important are gracious words, especially when we may have been hurt by certain people? Karlton shares. "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14) Words can cause so many problems. The way we speak, what we say, the tone of our voice, and the context of our words can have such an effect on others. When I was a teenager I went fishing at a creek beneath a bridge near my house. Suddenly someone up on the bridge started throwing rocks into the water. I yelled at them to stop, and they didn't. I could not see who was throwing the stones, but I got so angry that I said, "If you don't stop throwing rocks I'm going to kick your 'backside'." Only I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Friendships, What's New?

How Much Should You Reveal About Your Loved Ones When You Write?

November 8, 2012 By 3 Comments
HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU REVEAL ABOUT FRIENDS OR FAMILY WHEN YOU BLOG? @Lisa Copen shares some of the things she tries to remember when telling a story online or in public that involves someone else. Can you be honest without hurting one's feelings? This article also has scriptures that back up her viewpoints and help explain what we are accountable. Great article for #writers. #NHBPM @wego health

How do you decide exactly what to reveal about your loved ones, friends or family, when you write about your own experiences online? WEGO Health asks for their daily writing challenge “How do you choose to write about others in your blog?" Day #8. Lisa Copen I have asked this question, "How much should you reveal?" in past years to my writers groups. I have wondered, "How did you decide what to reveal, when, and why?" I read books of my writers friends where they share horror stories about a parent, a sibling, motherhood, and I think, "What did your mom think when she read that??" When we write, we often cling to our own experiences. And as writers, we do not just live--we are aware of the little slivers of life. We may think … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Founder's Blog, Friendships, Hurt Feelings, This is Me, What's New?

Just As Long as You Stand By Me – Video

July 15, 2012 By 1 Comment
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Happy Sunday! It is so easy to get caught up in our own little world, even the news about the city we live in or our country, and forget that we are all God's children, scattered all over the world. We all hurt, we all need the Lord, and. . . we need each other too. This is a beautiful video that will remind you that there are people world-wide that are saying, "Just as long as you stand by me than I can _____." (Imagine, what could you do if someone promised to stand by you?) Be sure to listen past the 1-minute mark for more surprises. If you are receiving this in your email, you likely cannot see the video within the email. Click the title above to go to our website to watch it. Stand By Me - People of the World Playing for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Friendships, Hurt Feelings, Love, Reflection, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Prayer for A Friend Reminds Me It’s Not All About Me

July 13, 2012 By 6 Comments
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Even though I am chronically ill, a simple prayer for a friend reminded me daily it was not all about me. This is how I began praying the scriptures. . . "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4) That hardest thing for me, as a chronically ill person, is to realize "it’s not all about me." Because most days I’m not feeling well, I expect others to be checking up on me. I expect others to text or call to see how I’m doing. I expect others to do things for me. And when they don’t I think they don’t care or aren’t interested in how I’m … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Depression, Devotionals, Friendships, Loneliness, What's New? Tagged With: , ,

Remembering To Give Comfort Even When We Are in Pain

July 6, 2012 By 1 Comment
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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 16 Comments
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"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: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How to Handle Hurt Feelings In Health Social Networks

May 22, 2012 By 2 Comments
HOW TO HANDLE HURT FEELINGS IN HEALTH SOCIAL NETWORKS: Health social networks can be a tremendous support for the chronically ill, but they can also be a source of many hurt feelings. How do we prevent this? If you have ever been on a health social network, chances are you have had your feeling hurt. It comes with the territory of people being in pain, on and off new meds, lacking sleep and short fuses. Great article if you have a #invisibleillness

Health social networks can be a tremendous support for the chronically ill, but they can also be a source of many hurt feelings. How do we prevent this? By Lisa Copen The Internet has provided us with a support community environment of online health social networks that are unique and always available. In the illness community, it is no surprise how helpful it can be when you are awake at 3 AM and there is someone online who is also awake due to pain. However, with this easily accessible health social networks of people also comes the frustrations that typically occur with our in-person relationships. Add to this, the fact that many people are not feeling well and may be moody, in addition to the likelihood that people are much more … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Anger, Articles, Articles - Read, Founder's Blog, Friendships, Hurt Feelings, Loneliness, Person w/ Illness, Support Group Leader, What's New?, Worry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Are You Being Too Nice? Not Uncommon for Chronically Ill

May 3, 2012 By 5 Comments
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Are you too nice? Is there such a thing for Christians? How can we be kind, but also please God, not be people pleasers? By Leslie Vernick Do you ever find yourself saying "yes" when you want to (or should) say "no"? For example, several years back, a graduate student asked me if I thought she would make a good counselor. I knew her gifts weren't strongest in that area, but I didn't want to hurt her feelings. She left our conversation believing I thought she was capable. We all do it. We say "yes" when our honest response should be "no." But let's take a look at the cost of being too nice. By being too nice, we can hurt people It amazes me how unaware we are of how we injure people by being too nice. Isn't that why we're nice to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Attitude, Coping Skills, Friendships, Hurt Feelings, Person w/ Illness, Self -Esteem, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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