June Hunt - Chronic Illness and Disability: Gods Peace in the Midst of Pain

The printed version of this eBook is the Chronic Illness & Disability: Gods Peace in the Midst of Pain book, ISBN-13: 9781628621464

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The information and solutions offered in this resource are a result of years of Bible study, research, and practical life application. They are intended as guidelines for healthy living and are not a replacement for professional medical advice and counseling. JUNE HUNT and HOPE FOR THE HEART make no warranties, representations, or guarantees regarding any particular result or outcome. Any and all express or implied warranties are disclaimed. Please consult qualified medical, pastoral, and psychological professionals regarding individual conditions and needs. JUNE HUNT and HOPE FOR THE HEART do not advocate that you treat yourself or someone you know and disclaim any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the information in this resource.

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Chronic Illness & Disability: Gods Peace in the Midst of Pain
Copyright 2015 Hope For The Heart
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CHRONIC ILLNESS & DISABILITY

Gods Peace in the Midst of Pain

JUNE HUNT

• Gives practical advice and Biblical wisdom from June Hunt, a Christian counselor whose award-winning radio program Hope For The Heart is heard on more than 1,000 radio outlets around the world. For more than 25 years, she has counseled people, offering them hope for todays problems.
• Goes through 7 steps that will transform the way you view your illness and shares 6 tips on what to do after being diagnosed.
• Addresses the common feelings felt by those with a chronic illness, including anger, hopelessness, and grief, while answering common questions, such as: Why is this happening to me? If I have faith, will God heal me? Is God punishing me?
• Encourages readers through the inspiring story of Joni Eareckson Tada. Find out how the Lord helped Joni process her paralysis, her chronic pain, and even her breast cancerand how he will help you too!
• Includes over 24 Do's and Don'ts that friends, family, and church leaders can follow to be a source of encouragement.

Dear Friend,

Chronic illness is such a tender topic for me. During her latter years, my sweet mother was challenged with congestive heart failure, pancreatitis, liver cancer, and multiple surgeries. As her health declined, I increasingly became involved in her care.

Eventually, my brother and I began taking turns looking after Mom. Though we had no formal arrangement, in the evenings Ray would drop by her home after work. As he was heading out, I arrived and stayed until 10:30leaving just in time for H OPE I N T HE N IGHT , my live two-hour call-in counseling program starting at 11 p.m.

Those years of caring for my mother were especially precious to me. Though she went home to be with the Lord in 1999, certain memories of our together time are as fresh as if they happened yesterday. I can still picture riding to the emergency room one spring day, holding Moms hand with the paramedics beside her as the ambulance sped through the streets. And I remember times of fatigue as long days turned into long nights and arranging and rearranging my schedule so I could be with my mom, whom I loved more than life.

How well I recall the time when she couldnt speak and hadnt slept for three days. I arrived at her home about midnight and found her unusually fidgetyeven trying to pull an IV out of her arm. The overnight nurse said, Why not just get in bed with her?

Sure ... of course. (Why didnt I think of that?)

So, fully clothed, I slipped off my shoes and climbed into her bed, yet she still seemed restless. But when I began singing It Is Well with My Soul , she became perfectly still. Putting my right arm around her, she snuggled close and completely relaxed in the shadow of The Old Rugged Cross .

Having learned to totally depend on the Lord during times of difficulty, what joy it brought to my heart when she began to silently mouth the words, I need Thee, oh I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. While holding her through Amazing Grace , Ill never forget Mom, with her doe-like eyes, fixing her gaze on me. I continued softly singing and cradling her in my arms until 5:00 a.m. Then, Mom finally fell asleep! Yet I didnt move for another hour for fear the slightest jostling might awaken her. Honestly, this time with my mother through those long night hours was a blessing. Tenderly sharing those moments with her is time Ill cherish forever.

Over the years people have said, I know caring for your mother must have been quite a burden! The truth is that it was both a burden and a blessing.

Let me be candid: Living with chronic illness is hard. And, for some, it will be harder than for others. But the Bible says, Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2 ESV ).

Those suffering from a chronic illnessas well as their caregivershave a very real burden. And bearing that burden should be shared with positive encouragers who offer practical support. Otherwise, the burden can feel unbearable .

Ironically, its the burden itself that brings us to our knees. Amazingly, thats where the burden is lifted, when surrendered to the Lorduntil the next hour or day or week when the pressure pushes us again to rely fully on Christ. Thats when we experience our Savior, who daily bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19).

During this cycle of surrender, we discover Gods unsurpassed strength to bear our burden and His unfailing hope, the blessing hidden beneath the burden ! The truth is that we would have no blessing to discover if we had no burden to bear.

Today, this is how I think of the years spent ministering to Mom:

Was it challenging? Yes!

Did God help me shoulder the burden? Always!

Did I gain compassion through caring for her? Absolutely!

Would I trade the compassion for being challenge free? Never!

Remember: In sicknessand in healthGod is ever-present. Notice how Psalm 119:4950 reveals the truth about our God, His Word, and our suffering: You have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

May the insights within these pages give answers to your questions, solutions for your struggles, and hope for your heart. Ultimately your faith in Gods faithfulness, your hope in His promises, and Christs love in your heart are the most important gifts you can share with a chronically ill loved one. May all these be yours in abundance!

Yours in the Lords hope,