Christian Archives - Rest Ministries - Chronic Illness and Pain Support

Devotion: Avoiding Losing Ourselves To The Hardship In Our Lives During Illness

June 30, 2012 By admin 19 Comments

"He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship." (Lamentations 3:4-6) It is not easy to live with hardship, and to suffer enduring pain. We can lose ourselves in the hardships that come into our lives. Not long ago I was talking to someone who told me about a member of his family that was so caught up in a disappointing event that the person had a mental breakdown over it. We can let our hardships become so all-encompassing that it is difficult to see beyond them, even single events in our lives can swallow up the good things, the many wonderful events, that God would have us focus upon instead. I think that for those of us who suffer, and have suffered much difficulty in life, if we were to balance everything … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Attitude, Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: attitude about illness, blessing, Christian, disappointment, God, karlton douglas, Kindle, Lord, Ohio

52 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend

May 2, 2012 By admin 5 Comments

If you are looking for ways to encourage a friend who is living with a chronic illness, dealing with a lot of pain, or even fighting cancer, this article is a great starting point to think creatively! Get the "Beyond Casseroles" book for 505 ways! By Lisa Copen Excerpt from Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend - Please do not reprint without permission or reword a few of the ideas and post as your own article. We've seen quite a few out there and appreciate you linking back to the source here. Thanks! "A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world." ~Lois Wyse Ask, "What events in your life are changing and how are you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Beyond Casseroles, Books, Caregiver, Coping Skills, Explaining Illness, Founder's Blog, Friend Has Illness, Friendships, Need to Know, Overwhelmed, Person w/ Illness, Person w/ lll Spouse, Support Group Leader, What's New? Tagged With: 50 ways to encourage a chronicall ill friend, 52 ways to help an ill friend, beyond casseroles, Catherine Marshall, Christian, Chronic, God, Health, how to help a sick friend, how to help an ill friend, Illness, lisa copen, ministering to a seriously ill friend, Rest Ministries

Devotion: Facing The Long Haul Of Chronic Illness

April 18, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:10-12) Chronic illness is not a sprint--it’s a long haul. Hence the “chronic." Sometimes that seems so hard to face. The fact that we can look at the future knowing that we may not improve, can bring those feelings of depression as we struggle not to be overwhelmed. As Christians, we can look forward … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, What's New? Tagged With: Christian, Chronic, daily chronic pain cope, daily-ness of illness, God, Health, how can i deal with this illness, how will i cope with this disease, illness is so daily, Kindle, Lord, Melbourne, Sunroom

New Book In Store: Stronger Still: A Woman’s Guide to Turning Your Hurt into Healing for Others

April 18, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

This book, Stronger Still: A Woman's Guide to Turning Your Hurt into Healing for Others (Deeper Still), by Edna Ellison is an amazing workbook to hold in your hand and work your way through if you are trying to figure out how to use the pain in your life to encourage other people. We have it available now at the Rest Ministries shop. I am happy to be able to call Edna a friend through a Christian women writers organization, but even I didn't know all that she had experienced in her life until I read this book. This woman has every right to write about her journey with suffering and how to use it for God's plans. This is an interactive 6-week Bible study that helps guide the reader through her pain and to a point where she can see how … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Books, Caregiver, Church Leader, Coping Skills, HopeKeepers Resources, Links, Ministry - Personal, Need to Know, Person w/ Illness, Reflection, RM Volunteer, Support Group Leader, What's New? Tagged With: bible study, book, Christian, Chronic, chronic pain support group, God, Healing, Health, illness support group, lead a group, Leadership, Ministry, Pain, personal, Religion and Spirituality, Rest Ministries, small group leader, start a small group, support group resources, women's ministry, women's ministry resources, workbook

Thinking About Suicide Website Offers Hope Through Depression

April 14, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

When you feel like the world is closing in you can actually start thinking about suicide. Lisa shares why she thinks a new Christian web site that addresses suicide is needed. I recently have had the honor of joining a group of Christian women who are writing for a blog ThinkingAboutSuidicide.com. Started by Christian author and speaker, Linda Evans Shepherd, this blog features a daily post on topics related to people who may be thinking about suicide. It is for anyone, those who have recently lost a job, a loved one, health, whatever and offers hope through depression. I recently wrote about this new blog on 3/30/12, New Thinking About Suicide Blog Offers Eternal Hope. Some of you, however, missed this post and then wondered why I was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Church Leader, Founder's Blog, Need to Know, Person w/ Illness, Spiritually Struggling, Suicidal Thoughts, Support Group Leader, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: Christian, Facebook, hope through depression, is life worth living, Linda Evans Shepherd, lisa copen, Rest Ministries, San Diego, Suicide, thinking about suicide

New Thinking About Suicide Blog Offers Eternal Hope

March 30, 2012 By admin 6 Comments

A few months ago a friend of mine, Linda Evans Shepherd, announced to our group of Christian women writers that she was starting a blog specifically to reach out to those who were considering suicide. I have to say that anything Linda touches is done well and with complete passion and heart behind it. Her most recent web site, Finding God Daily, has a wonderful collection of articles about all the places we can find God! But would I be able to make a commitment to write an article or two a month about suicide? What do I know that may encourage someone else? And I just have a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, while many of the writers are professional counselors. But then I got an email from someone at Rest Ministries pouring her heart … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Caregiver, Church Leader, Depression, Fear, Founder's Blog, Links, Medical Professional, Need to Know, Person w/ Illness, Spiritually Struggling, Suicidal Thoughts, Support Group Leader, Teen w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: Assisted suicide, Christian, chronic pain and suicide, considering suicide, do you go to heave if you commit suicide, end my life, God, how to commit suicide, lisa copen, Mental Illness, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Psych, Rest Ministries, San Diego, stop the pain, Suicidal Thoughts, Suicide, suicide statistics, taking my life, thinking about suicide, wednesdays and suicides

Devotion: What Happens When You Are Diagnosed with a Secondary Illness (or Third, Fourth…)?

March 16, 2012 By admin 9 Comments

"Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses." (1 Timothy 5:23) During a recent doctor visit I told my doctor: “I don't need another problem.” He replied: “I know.” Additional illnesses and extra diagnoses are things we do not want. If you are like me, you really just want the affliction merry-go-round to stop. I'm guessing that you feel exactly the same as I do when additional illnesses are added to the scale of your already overburdened affliction account. My “extra” illness is diabetes. I've been non-diabetic, pre-diabetic, and now am diagnosed diabetic. I have packet to carry around to check my blood with, and an additional medication, and one more thing to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Christian, God, Illness, karlton douglas, Lord, Ohio, Prayer, Psalm

Clever Idea! Make a Pill Box Out of a Crafty Bead Box

March 7, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

Are your medications and vitamins overwhelming you? I have 4 pillbox holders that I fill up 2 weeks at a time for morning and evening. But all the other bottles have been disorganized. And as much as I try to stay up on getting refills, some are last minute or I even miss a day. None of them seem to run out at the same time. We have a "drug drawer" in the kitchen with a lock. But as the rest of the family has added vitamins and medication over the years, my medications have suddenly become mixed in with everyone elses. So every time I spent 5 minutes going through 15 bottles looking for a particular one I think, "There has got to be a better way!" And. . . There is! Check this out! Can you guess what it is? It is a bead … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles - Read, Founder's Blog, Hobbies-Crafts, Organizing, Overwhelmed, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: Christian, Chronic Illness, chronic illness tips, guide to organizing your medicine, how to organize your medication, make a pill box out of bead holder organizer, medication, Medicine, organize, pill box, pillbox, prescriptions, Rest Ministries

Devotion: Where I Am Versus Where God Wants Me To Be Through This Illness Experience

February 17, 2012 By admin 4 Comments

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." (1 Peter 4:12,16) In the midst of a period where life seemed to have got on top of me and my depression seemed so much worse, I came across this quote that I had jotted down when I heard it some time ago. “Lord, don’t let me remain where I am. Help me reach where You want me to be.” “Where I am” was currently: depressed, unmotivated, scared, and feeling pretty useless. But was that anywhere near where God wanted me to be? I don’t think so. When life seems too hard, or just so overwhelming that you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Amen., australia, Bible, Christian, God, Lord, Melbourne, Sunroom

Devotion: When Your Illness Makes You Feel Betrayed By Your Body

January 29, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

"My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak." (Psalm 31:10) Do you ever feel that your body has betrayed you? Has it left you feeling embarrassed, disappointed, or discouraged? There are times our body feels more like an enemy than a friend, times when no matter what we do, no matter what treatments or medications we give it, it responds by letting us down. Sometimes it seems like we are in an endless battle with our bodies, we think we have gained some ground, that we have turned the tide in the war, and yet it rallies against us and sets us back once more. It can get discouraging after awhile. The truth is that our bodies are not our enemies. Our … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Cadaver, Christian, God, karlton douglas, Kindle, Lord, Ohio, Psalm

From Illness Comes Unique Card Ministry

January 17, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

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...]

Filed Under: Articles, Caregiver, Links, Ministry - Personal, Person w/ Illness, Support Group Leader, What's New?, Working Tagged With: Christ, Christian, Christianity, God, Healing, is having a ministry working, is ministry a job, Jesu, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Lord, Pennsylvania, Sunday School

Devotion: Following God’s Commands in the Chaos

January 13, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but Your commands give me delight.” (Psalm 119:143) Last night as the clock neared 5:15 PM the sky was getting past dusk into dark. My son wanted to continue to drive his new remote control car outside. "I will just do it in the lawn and the driveway," he pleaded. Honestly, he very likely would have been fine, but I was not going to sit outside in the cold any longer and I could not allow him to be out there alone with it getting dark. In our world of crazy circumstances, it was not safe. He wasn't happy and demanded an explanation. It led to a discussion about how there are bad people in the world that could come by and grab him and I loved him too much. It is hard to understand why, in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Christian, Chronic, Facebook features, God, lisa copen, Lord, Rest Ministries, San Diego