You have a disease. It cripples your mornings, costs your afternoons, and keeps you up at night. You take whatever medicine the doctor tells you to take, get sick of it, try a homeopathic way, can’t do it alone, go back to your medicine, change doctors, try to find a happy medium. Start all over again.
You’re sick.
You’re tired.
You’re sick and tired of what people tell you about why you’re sick when every part of your body that’s hurting feels like it has its own heartbeat.
Then someone tells you you’re sick because of the sin in your life. You’ve heard the speeches about how you should eat better and that you did this to yourself, but you haven’t heard this before.
Please remember this one thing dear friend:
Remember the blind man Jesus healed.
Remember Jesus’ words when his disciples asked him who had sinned and why the man was born blind. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:1-3).
I’m not a theologian nor a preacher, but I don’t think it’s hard to understand what Jesus is simply saying here.
What we think is unfortunate in our lives could very well be one of the deepest, most amazing ways God displays His glory. It’s through the trial. It’s through the aching. It’s through the disease.
Every once in a while, I’ll find myself trying to make sense of pain and suffering. Yes, it’s a very large thought indeed. While my mind will start racing to answer, my heart will come in with very simple reasoning.
Perhaps pain draws us to God. Perhaps we cannot grow spiritually or even morally for that matter if pain was non-existent; we cannot show compassion unless there is someone in desperate cry for care. We cannot give to the needy if no one has less than us. Everyone’s pain is an opportunity to show tender-hearted love.
I don’t know your story or what chronic illness you’re going through, but I do have empathy for you. I understand because I know chronic pain—I know it well and I know it young. I know the burns, the painful joints, the flares, the extreme fatigue, the headaches. I know the feeling of wanting to toss the papers that read normal life out the window. Our stories may be totally different or on the contrary seemingly similar. We may not understand why we have a disease, but our pain is not hopeless. And our pain isn’t because of the reasons a random person at the food market tells us it is; there is no one cause of pain. It’s what God himself is stirring in us; what God is doing in us through it for others. And it’s beautiful.
We all know that all it takes is one forged smile to hide an aching soul—to hide what’s really going on. Be real with the ones that love you; hold their hands while you’re sipping your morning coffee and pour your heart out. Talk with others going through chronic pain, you’re not alone. Don’t let the words of others that don’t understand dictate your life.
Have faith in the pain. Remember the blind man Jesus healed—remember His words, dear friend.
photo: kendall lauren vegan photography
Thanks for this post. I really wish I had someone I could really unburden to. Life with FND has been too hard for me. This helps though, to know that in the midst of all this others are there who know and understand even if I don’t know them.
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Wow. I never had anyone say that my illness is from my sin, I am not sure how I would handle that. I would do everything possible to keep calm and address it, but that would have to be the most asinine thing I ever heard. Also, if the people say it is from a sin it is those same people who believe that there is a God and no where in the bible that claims illness is from a sin. Look at Job, I think it was, while he was going through his trail.
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Yep, so very true Doug! I cannot express he jilt of pain that I felt when I read this is an email…I was shocked but I knew this needed to be addressed in a biblical sincere way. Thanks for the read and happy weekend!
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This post is so important for encouraging Christians and all who have chronic and other other illnesses. Love it and am following from my other blogs as well. God bless. Prayed for you this morning.
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Wow, thank you so much! I truly appreciate it! Blessings to you!
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I do not have lupus. I have three other autoimmune issues.
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Thank you for this post. It really spoke to my heart. I’ve dealt with pain in one form or another all my life and have told it was my own fault for a multitude of reasons. I’ve been trying to convince myself they were wrong. What could a child do to deserve what I went through? But this post helped me see in a totally different way. I can’t begin to tell you how thankful I am.
God bless you and your family. 🤗
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I am so happy this post helped you see it in a different way <3 So happy it spoke to you and I pray the best for you and God is good all the time! :)
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This is a really good post. As one who deals with Lupus. I have heard similar statements.
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AMEN! The Church has done a lot of damage, totally missed the scriptural mark when Believers ask the sick to “examine themselves for unconfessed sin”. They are particularly hard on folks with Depression/Anxiety, as though mental health issues do not qualify as “illness”/disease. I know this from personal experience. I will certainly keep you in my prayers, as I do believe Jesus still heals today–but “healing” can come in myriad ways. There are some great Contemporary Christians songs out currently–I like “Even If”, and also the Natalie Grant one with the line, “help me seek the Healer, not the healing” (or something close to that). I’d love for Him to heal me–but I can say with 100% sincerity (not putting a spiritual “spin” on things) that my depression has provided fertile soil for a growing intimacy with the Lord that I never dreamed could exist. I can only speak for myself, but as difficult as disabling mental health issues have made my life, I doubt I would have this deep relationship with Him if I’d I been born a “happy camper”. I wouldn’t trade what I’ve gained in my “silver years” (I’m 65). Sorry to ramble on–and may God continue to bless you abundantly with His favor :)
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No I completely understand! I do believe healing comes in many ways…whether or not I am healed or not– GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD and there is so much beauty in the pain and purpose of what He does. God bless you! And I don’t mind the conversation..I love wisdom from people older than me!
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Bless your darling heart <3
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Savannah,
Thank you for exhibiting true faith. Well done good and faithful servant. This Maundy Thursday and going forward your
health and excellent years are in my prayers.
;-D an
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Thank you kindly, Dan!! :) Blessings!
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Good Friday blessings to you as well.
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Thank you for sharing your inspiration and faith! This post was written so beautifully.
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Thanks for the read Hannah. <3 Blessings to you!
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Ecclesiastes 9:11 reminds us that “time and unexpected events befall all of us”. But I always take comfort in the reminder that the Apostle James was inspired to write at James 1:13. That God does not try us with evil things. Instead he gave us Jesus’ time on earth to show us that he and his son have the desire and the power to heal mankind. Just think of all that Jesus did when he was on earth. He healed disease, he fed the hungry, he brought the dead back to life. And he taught us to pray for God’s kingdom to come, because it would cause his will to be done on earth, just like it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9) Our pain teaches us to rely on him and to build faith his promises. But always remember that like a loving parent, our Father wants to remove our pain. And he will – when that kingdom that we pray for does all that he has purposed for it to do.
Thank you for sharing. And keep growing in faith.
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Amen times a thousand, friend. Blessings to you :)
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Reblogged this on At GOD's Throne.
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This is a great post. When you said, “It’s through the trial. It’s through the aching. It’s through the disease.”
You are correct. It is through those tough trials that God shows Himself strong. We may have to go through them, but maybe that is God’s way of pushing us towards our intended purpose in life.
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Thanks for the read :) Amen to that :)
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Hello – thank you for you authenticity and your courage both to live your life and to share it here. Like you, I do not have an answer for why, but rather ask what do I need to know about You in this moment Lord; what do I need to know about me? Those questions create a pathway for connection with my Heavenly Father for Him to take what the enemy purposed for evil and turn it to His good purpose (Gen 50:20). It has provided the perspective to live knowing every need and weakness I have is just another connecting point opportunity with Abba to experience and receive from Him exceedingly, abundantly above what I can dare to dream so that like the blind man in this parable, God’s glory is revealed! Praying for you to receive ever increasing revelations of God’s love for you!
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Thank you so very very much for your words. I take them to heart! Blessings.
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Savannah, Your story really resonated with me and would like your permission to mention/quote you in a post (with links back to your blogs). You can reach me at PEGGYJUDYTIME@gmail.com or leave a comment on a blog post.
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ofcourse ofcourse!!! Thanks for the read:)
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I love what you say here. It’s very comforting to communicate with other people who live with chronic illness. I blame myself all the time for being sick, but I had no part in my genetics, right? All the things you suggest ring true with me and I try to do the same. Bless you for sharing. And thank you for visiting my blog and liking a post!
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Please continue writing!! I absolutey love your blog:) Thanks for the read and have a great week!
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Thank you! I hope you have a good week as well!
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Thank you for sharing your heart, and your pain. I could relate so much, and truly believe that God is using all our pain for His purpose and glory. God bless you
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Thanks for the read, friend :) Have a great week :)
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Deeply encouraging. Thank you.
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Thanks for the read, friend:)
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I believe this, I did the moment I was diagnosed my dad even wants to change his life ( by getting baptized ) but the rest of my family (extended) thinks I should just pray it away. I believe that GOD has a greater plan in the works so much bigger than my diagnosis.
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And God’s plan is always great:) have a great week, friend:)
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Beautifully written. God never “does” bad things to people. Nor does he allow things to happen to people out of vengeance. God, our perfect loving Savior, allows (does not cause) horrific things to happen to us for a reason. Maybe someone’s testimony is what saves the lives of many, but it saves the life of one… or even yourself? Horrible things happen in this world. Nothing caused your illness. Your unspoken joy and faith in our Lord is infectious. Thank you for posting this, blessings to you and your family.
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amen :) Blessings to you :)
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I find your posts filled with truth, courage, and hope. I’m sure Jesus’s delights in you, and you are right – your illness if for a purpose. Possibly that is enough to know; that is what it is to trust. As you noted the blind man being blind for God’s glory; many even in this day are seeing God’s glory and receiving personal encouragement from his story. Submission in the battle is a noble thing. Thank you. I shall follow you.
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I agree, we need to stop listening to “well meaning” Christians – or anyone for that matter that doesn’t know the love or faith of God. Keep standing in faith, Savannah, and yes, the blind man Jesus healed had his situation for a season…then his healing was manifested. Jesus said, “believe you receive what you desire, when you pray…” His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven…what is His will? What Jesus did on earth is the will of the Father.
Blessings for good days now and in your future,
Marianne ♥
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So good to hear from you Marianne!! Thank you so much <3 Blessings to you sweet friend! :)
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Hallelujah
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ty for the read:)
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People need to be very careful about the judgements they pass on people’s illness’. One of the professors at the school I attend is in a wheelchair, he is an older gentleman who contracted polio before the vaccine. He didn’t die but his legs no longer work nor does his left hand. He says that the Lord promised healing and all his children will be healed. It’s either here (now) , there (in the future on earth) or in the air (in heaven with Jesus) but he said you can trust 100 percent you will receive healing one day and whatever you are gong through is not a forever situation. So now I just tell myself, here, there or in the air…healing IS coming.
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Thanks for the read :) Sending happy thoughts your way :)
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I really needed to read this today. Thank you!
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Thanks for dropping by :) I am happy it spoke to you sister!
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