Not everyone believes in spirituality. Some find it a great comfort. Others may find it oppressive if they grew up in a harsh church. As a Christian, I have found the following doctrines quite helpful on my journey with chronic illness:
1. Disease entered the world through the Fall. It was never God's moral will for the curse to happen. That was the natural consequence of Adam and Eve's sin, and more globally, it is the natural consequence of sin nature. I'm not saying that my particular sin caused my illness. I'm not saying my illness is a punishment. I am saying that regardless of the Fall, I have chosen at times to live apart from God; therefore, I contribute to the current curse that the world has. God is not some malicious God who does not care. If He were, then there would still be suffering in heaven, and we know that there is not. I am in no way entitled to physical health in this life.
2. I am not entitled to the American Dream. As a Christian, I fully believe that I deserve hell, eternal separation from God. He is a perfect, holy God; I am not holy enough in my own accord to be in His presence. He, however, in His great compassion, paid that price. Christianity is the only religion where we don't have to earn heaven or a relationship with our Creator. What better news could there be! If what I deserve is hell, how could I possibly believe that I am entitled to the American Dream.
3. If Christ was willing to be tortured and murdered for me, then not only does He understand suffering, I am inspired by His willingness to suffer and am inspired to attempt to maintain a good attitude about my own suffering.
4. We are made in God's image and therefore, all life has meaning and purpose. Whether I am able to speak to thousands at a conference or simply give praise to God while I am sick in bed, my attitude has the ability to inspire others to believe in God's great goodness. That has meaning and purpose.
5. I am never alone in my suffering. Christians believe that we have a personal relationship with God. We have the Holy Spirit who comforts us. I can not begin to say how many times I have sensed God say in my spirit that He is watching over me. His compassion brings me comfort.
6. We are part of a Body. I can contribute to God's Kingdom by praying for others in the church, by showing the fruit of the Spirit, by giving God glory, even when I physically feel feeble. As part of a Body, it is also okay for me to ask for help. Contributing to other believers brings a sense of belonging and meaning.
7. I can be transformed by the renewing of my mind. When I get the distorted thinking out of my head and focus on how loving and good God is, I am able to maintain gratitude. Weed out from your mind all the "shoulds" you have gathered over the years. Ask God to fill your mind with truth. His ways are not burdensome, the Bible says.
8. Jesus rested. He took care of His physical needs. Therefore, I do not need to feel guilty about not being able to get to church or not being able to keep up with chores. He led by example, the importance of honoring our body's needs.
9. Life does not end, but suffering does. Some day, this life will continue in a different form, but I will no longer suffer. What a huge hope we have!
10. God values rest so much more than our go-go-go culture. Investigate the Bible; it is full of celebrations and rest and meditation. It starts in Genesis when He rested on the seventh day. Note too that He does not consider it prideful to call your work good. Take confidence in the gifts God has given you and know that it is okay to balance those with rest.
11. The Bible also says that God works things out for the good of those who love Him. He always makes good out of the bad. He does not cause the bad, but He makes good out of it. Isn't that a great promise! What good has come from your suffering. Start keeping a journal. You will be amazed at what you discover!
12. God told Paul that His grace was sufficient for him. Call on His grace. When your meds are not working, or you feel you cannot take the pain, call on Him. He will give us grace in time of need.
13. Worship. Spend time in His creation. Sing songs of praise. Tell Him how magnificent He is and how much you appreciate Him. It is difficult to worship and be depressed or anxious at the same time.
14. Jesus had boundaries. The religious rulers of His day tried to make religion about works, but Jesus came to free us from trying to earn our place in heaven. What a gift! We are free; our relationship with Him is unconditional of anything we could be or do. We just have to accept it, AND he role modeled boundaries against systems that would chain and weigh us down emotionally and spiritually.
15 Jesus role modeled meditation. He would spend hours praying and quoting Scripture. Meditation did not start with transcendentalism. It started with Christ.
Does your faith bring you peace and comfort in your suffering? In what ways has embracing your faith brought you peace in the midst of suffering? In what ways has it brought you a deeper sense of meaning in life, despite suffering? How has it healed any distorted thinking you once had?
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