“Get well soon!” people tell us, but when you are chronically ill, that little phrase, get well soon, can start to fester bitterness.
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” (Romans 15:5)
The other day I opened my mailbox to find a card. I was so excited—it wasn’t a bill, but a card! When I arrived back at my apartment I opened the card and read it.
As I read the card, I realized that I could react one of two ways. I could be very frustrated and become discouraged, or I could be glad and be encouraged.
On the front of the card it said, “Get Well Soon!”
Let’s look at some facts:
I’m not “sick,” I live with chronic pain.
The doctors have said I have permanent nerve damage.
My injury was in 2000. . .
and still the person who sent the card, sends a “Get well soon” message?
Now, I have to make a decision. The easiest response would be to get frustrated and mad—“How can this person not understand?” Don’t people realize that I’m not sick?
But, I am to have the same attitude and mind toward others as Christ has. And my philosophy is “Create a Positive Day!” When I stop a moment and consider the positive in receiving a “Get Well Card!” I am encouraged!
Let’s look at some facts here:
Even though I’m not “sick” I do want to get better. Isn’t that why I continue trying each new treatment/medicine available?
Yes, my condition is permanent, but I do have “good days” and even “better days”.
It took time and effort to buy and send me a card—the person thought about me and prayed for me. Now, that is an encouragement.
So, I re-read the card. “Get Well Soon!”. . .
And I was encouraged! Someone was kind enough to send me a card to let me know that they were thinking and praying for me. And God is the one who has the power to make me well, so I’m thankful He’s hearing my name!
Next time I receive a “Get Well Soon!” card, first, I’m going to stop and pray for the person who sent it. Then next, I’m going to send the person a card, letting them know what an encouragement it was to know that they are thinking and praying for me. “Get Well Soon!”—can be an encouraging message—when I make a choice to have a Christ-like attitude.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me see the encouragement You send my way. Even if people don’t understand my condition, I’m thankful for their prayers and thoughtfulness. Lord, don’t let my frustration be so overwhelming that I miss the wonderful blessings You send.
About the Author:
Rhonda Sawtelle lives with chronic headaches and pain due to failed back surgery syndrome. Her philosophy is “Create a positive day!” She enjoys watching football, digital scrapbooking, and reading. To read more about how Rhonda creates a positive day, even while living with pain, visit her blog: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com.
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Have you ever found yourself less than excited when you opened up a get well soon card? What conflicting emotions have you experienced?
Hi Rhonda!
When I buy cards for people I know, I try to find one that just says what I want it to. Or I send a note instead.
For people like us, I usually choose an encouragement or friendship card and may add a little note or Scripture verse as well.
Good for you for choosing to look at your “Get Well” card in a positive way, even though you doubt that the sender doesn’t really “get it”.
I was at a mother and daughter pajama party tonight. I felt hurt that what I deal with day in and day out was being minimized by one of the ladies who struggles with big health issues herself. She is a lovely Christian sister whom I admire greatly, but she doesn’t seem to allow herself to be open about her struggles. I don’t think I’ll be depressed over her remarks though. We’re all different in the way we handle life’s challenges. And I know she was trying to be encouraging.
I think we all want to be understood, especially by those closest to us, but we can’t demand it. God totally understands and is delighted when we come to Him with all our negative feelings and questions. He also weeps along with us. I’m so thankful He’s in my life!
Rhonda – I really appreciated your devotional. I totally agree that we need to make decisions about our reactions when well meaning friends do something for us that is their way of showing care. It is similar to someone telling us “we look so good” when we are about to pass out from pain or a weakness that has us pushing beyond our own strength.
It is hard for others ( not afflicted) to know what to say or what to do. “Thank you” is a good reponse for in those two words we mean just what you shared here – it is their thought that counts because they count in our lives. We steal back a blessing if we go into a litany of why they just don’t understand.
Thanks for the great reminders!
Lynn
Only by reacting in a godly way, will we be able to continue to share God’s love with those around us. I know that before my back injury, I NEVER “got it” when people talked about being in constant pain—as much as I wanted to understand. I have to remind myself of that fact often.
May each of us react the way God would… with kindness and compassion….. no matter how others react to us. I know that is my daily prayer.
Wonderful perspective! thank you for sharing 🙂
Now, I love this perspective of choosing to look at it positively. Someone is probably being naive but trying to be encouraging. One reason we haven’t mentioned, is that there aren’t cards for sick people that is about chronic illness. We have to be more personal than just grabbing a get well soon card, but, the cards may have nice sayings or poems specifically related to illness. Personally, I would copy down the message I like and add it to a blank card or friendship card so that I could leave out the get well soon thing. We also have to realize that its a naivety, people may not realize what our condition even is, depending on how information is translated from person to person in a prayer group or such things, they may not even realize its a chronic illness and just for some reason ignorantly think it’s not.
I have chronic Lyme disease and get “Get Well Soon” cards all the time. I have honestly never thought much of it, but see what you’re saying. I think that it is usually just the most appropriate card they can find in the store to send besides a thinking of you card. Also, sometimes I will have bad day or weeks and they will just send a get well as in “past this particular bad day”. And also, there are so many people who pray for me to be healed as well so they see it from a different viewpoint. They see that, event though doctors say that I will live with this, we have a God who can heal and deliver us from all sickness if he chooses to do so.