If you have a chronic illness, disease or syndrome, you know what it’s like to be miserable and misunderstood. There are probably times when you are so depressed, you just want to disappear. There may be other times when you feel so good that you overdo and really pay for it the next day. Then the cycle begins again. You may look around you and wonder if anyone understands exactly what you’re going through.
So what can you do? One of my husband’s favorite sayings is, “If all else fails, read the directions.” And we do have an instruction book: The Holy Bible.
Consider what the Psalmist said when he was in distress:
Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake. (Psalm 79:9, NIV)
Then there’s Jesus’ promise to us in Matthew 11: 28-20 (NIV):
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
And you can always remember what Paul recommended:
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14, NIV)
And finally, go back to the Psalmist for the best advice of all:
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27:14, NIV)
Are you at the end of your rope? Can I pray for you? Comment below or send me an email at angie at angelaearndt dot com. God has put each of us here for a reason:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
About Angie Arndt
Angie fell in love with biblical fiction in junior high. She lives in South Carolina with her hubby and three big dogs (well, two big dogs and poodle who thinks he is).
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Love these reminders of how God’s heart & help inspire His children to keep on keeping on. Thanks for encouraging us with what you’ve learned through pain, Angie.
You are always encouragement to me, Renee! I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know you. 🙂
What a lovely devotional. I’m not at the end of my rope, thank the good Lord, but know there are many who are, and I pray this ministers to their needy hearts. I press toward the mark….Thanks so much for sharing!
I’m so glad you’re not at the end of your rope and I hope it helps, too. Press on, sweet lady!
What a great post. I do have a chronic disease and know exactly what you are saying. I tell people I have it, it doesn’t have me. By God’s grace I am able to do what I do. Sometimes I am fearful of doing things and don’t get the reward for stepping out on faith but sometimes I make it. Those are the days I feel the best. Please pray for me as I try to keep doing what He wants me to do.
God’s grace is what gets us through, isn’t it? It’s hard to step out on faith when you’re battling health problems, especially when you can never tell how you’re going to feel. I’ll be honored to pray for you, Connie.
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Beautiful job, Angie. Your servant’s heart shines through, and I see compassion shoving aside your own struggles. What an amazing testimony of serving through pain. Love you, woman! 😉
Oh, thank you so much! You are such an encourager! I know it was an odd topic, but I just felt that someone needed to hear it. Love you, sweet lady!
What lovely thoughts and reminders from the “Book of Directions”. Thanks for today’s encouragement. I don’t suffer from chronic physical pain, but I do let myself suffer from worry. “Come unto me, all you who are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Yes, worry can be just as debilitating, can’t it? I’m so glad it spoke to you. Love that verse. It used to be on our church bulletins and always spoke to my heart. I’m so glad that I’ve gotten to know you!