How to Cope with Chronic Illness

Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, MS, Lyme, Lupus, Autism: The list is long.

For those of us who are familiar with one or more of these diseases, the name sends a shudder through us. Sometimes we want to hide our eyes, stop our ears, or bury our heads and say, "I don't want to face this right now!" And sometimes we cry out for help. It is my prayer that this series of articles will provide you with some of that help. Right at the beginning I want you to know that I do not consider myself to have "arrived". I do not presume to know it all about any of the subjects in these articles. I simply want to share with you what I have learned so far in hopes that it will help in some way.

There is nothing more important in your weary life than your relationship with God. Nothing. I must confess that up until I became chronically ill ten years ago, I was only a nominal Christian. That is why I thank God for allowing me to become ill. It caused me to become aware of my weak and pitiful spirituality. Gradually, over time, my eyes were opened to: 1. my selfish and controlling nature, 2. the poor way I was treating my husband, 3. my need for God's help in training up my children in the way they should go, and most importantly, 4. the fact that we wrestle not against flesh and blood. This life is a spiritual battle, one that, as Christians, we need to wake up and fight.

So I strongly urge you to make your relationship with God your number one priority - daily. Here are some practical tips on that:

Pray - without ceasing. I get overwhelmed when I feel I have to say it all at one time. Rather than try to fit everything you want to say to God into one session, practice having an attitude of prayer. Breathe one-liners to Him all day long. This helps you follow I Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Read/listen to great Bible teaching. Again, it helps keep your mind on God and off your circumstances. Build up your library with your favorites.

I hope these tips help you as you live with your chronic illness. In the next article I will address our attitude.16Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Read your Bible. Many illnesses cause "brain fog". Don't worry if you can no longer remember where to find certain references. Just keep pouring it into your heart. God has promised to bring to mind what needs to be said when we are called upon to witness on His behalf (Mark 13:11). Another good idea is to invest in a good concordance or Bible software with search options. A wonderful free one is www.e-sword.net.

Keep a journal. Include not only your own prayer requests, but those of people you've promised to pray for. It helps you remember to do what you promised, and it also helps you take your mind off your own sorrows. Also jot down praise items, funny or precious things your children did or said, reminders to yourself, etc. It doesn't have to be "spiritual". In fact, our lives should not be separated into "spiritual" and "secular" categories. Run it all together and make God central every day.

Listen to great music. This will be different for each and every person. And it will probably differ for one person depending on the mood or situation. It can be soothing and worshipful, or upbeat and energetic. But I urge you to collect music that points you to God. I have found my emotions can get out of whack quite easily and music is one way to saturate my soul with the right attitude.