I’m not going to lie and say I’m glad I’m ill. I’m not. I’m not going to sugarcoat a chronic illness and make it seem less than what it is. It sucks.
What I am going to do is to follow God’s word…
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I don’t think this passage means we have to give thanks that something bad has happened. I’m not thankful my sister died. I’m not thankful my friend needs a double lung transplant. I’m not thankful many go without the medical testing and meds they need because they don’t have insurance. Yeah, there’s a lot I’m not thankful for.
But I think Paul means we should be able to find something teachable or good that can come from each situation, and for that, be thankful.
Here are nine reasons I’m thankful for my chronic illness:
1. It has taught our family compassion. I have watched my husband and kids show love and compassion to me that otherwise may not have flourished. Living with someone ill or in chronic pain allows you to see things through a different lens. I hear them talk about others with disease or “invisible illnesses” with a tone of sympathy instead of cynicism.
I'm thankful that my #chronicillness has taught me to be more compassionate!
2. My eyes have been opened to the fact that everyone is engaged in some battle of some kind. We tend to think the grass is always greener elsewhere when, in all honesty, we may never know the extent of someone else’s pain or problems. Realizing this tends to make you a bit nicer to the boy bagging your groceries or even to the madwoman who’s yelling at the checkout lady. You have no idea what they might have been through in the previous hour.
I'm thankful my #chronicillness has reminded me that everyone is fighting a battle of some kind.3. It allows you to find out who your friends are. When you’re absent for weeks from different social settings you learn who cares. They are the ones who have taken the time to text or call to check in on you. Those are the relationships to nurture.
I'm thankful my #chronicillness has shown me who my true, precious friends are!
4. It has taught me humility. You aren’t able to hold onto your pride when you find yourself in the position of asking your 20-year-old son to help you walk to the bathroom. Or when your husband has to help you dress because it’s too painful to bend far enough to put your own socks on.
I'm thankful my #chronicillness has taught me humility.
5. It’s teaching me the importance of taking care of my health. I still struggle so much in this area. I tend to go for the quick fixes, like a bottle of Coke, to gain energy – but I’m learning.
I'm thankful my #chronicillness has taught me the importance of #selfcare.
6. It’s teaching me to keep things in perspective. I used to be so stressed when things didn’t go according to plan but I’m learning to go with the flow. My house doesn’t have to be perfect. When people come to visit, what’s important is that they feel loved and appreciated. 20 years from now they won’t be talking about the fact that there were fingerprints on my front door. But I hope they’ll talk about the lasting imprint my love for them made in their lives.
I'm thankful my #chronicillness has taught me to put things in their proper perspective.
7. It’s proven my strength comes from God. When you manage to smile and laugh through lunch with a friend, despite having pain at a level 8, you know that’s God. When you wake up with no energy at all but somehow manage to go tend to the needs of your elderly mother, you know that’s God.
I'm thankful my #chronicillness has shown me my strength comes from the Lord!
8. It’s teaching me to unplug. In our world of technological accomplishment, we are constantly bombarded with noise and distractions. I’m learning to calm my mind and body by limiting the exposure to backlit screens and background noise. Actually living in the moment and being where you are and with who you’re with is a dying experience these days. There’s a calm that comes from mastering technology instead of being bound by it.
I'm thankful my #chronicillness has taught me the need to #unplug!
9. It’s made me realize what’s most important in this life. For a while, I got caught up in thinking it was climbing the corporate ladder but it’s not. It’s not stuff or money. Without a doubt, it’s living a life for Christ and sharing His love with others. It’s the people around you and the impact you have in their lives.
I'm thankful my #chronicillness has taught me to realize and treasure what's truly important!
