Let This Book Encourage You
Everyone with a chronic illness or illnesses has experienced it (and arguably, others have as well). A point of feeling like everything is spinning out of control. Your body isn’t functioning, relationships are rocky, work and tasks don’t get done; everything just seems terrible. At the time, it feels as if it’s the setback of all setbacks - recovery will be difficult, and life will not be the same moving forward. It’s like being the victim of a hit and run, or getting slapped out of nowhere. It will kick your hope down a few notches, allow doubt to settle in, and may even cause a loss in confidence in multiple areas. Proverbs 13 is accurate in saying “hope deferred makes the heart sick.” (verse 12a, NIV)
In all of the chaos, we have to fight to move closer to God, because our reaction is often to pull away and draw inward. I know, at least for myself, it can become a minute-to-minute struggle to focus my mind on Him rather than on the fearful, anxious, and negative thoughts that seem to endlessly flow through it. It becomes a mind game, a spiritual tug of war, and a physical battle all in one. And it’s exhausting.
That is why I have grown such an affinity for the Psalms. I would, and do, recommend that anyone battling illness make it a point to read a portion of the Book every single day. It’s so applicable to our journeys; it acknowledges the reality, the pain, the ups and downs, and the emotions, but then encourages, uplifts, and brings attention back to God and His goodness. The passages bring our struggle into words and then form them into prayers. Reading the Bible every day allows the Word of God to dwell within so that you have access to encouragement when you can’t seem to encourage yourself. But, I can 100% confirm that reading the Psalms each day (in addition to other studying) will bring added comfort and reassurance. There’s no reestablishment of hope like that in hearing “The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness” (Psalm 41:3) when you’re lying in bed in pain. And there’s a different kind of confidence built in remembering “from where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord” (Psalm 121:1b-2a).
So, I first want to encourage everyone reading this to start to make the Psalms a part of your daily reading. Dig into it, and allow yourself to see beyond the concrete words; the metaphors are still applicable, whether it be about enemies, battles, mountains, or trekking to Zion. (I highly recommend The Case for the Psalms by N.T. Wright for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the Scriptures). Second, I want to reassure anyone who is experiencing a time of difficulty, hopelessness, chaos, or whatever you may be facing: this is not the end. You will get back on your feet, you will feel happiness and joy again. This is just another page, difficult but albeit necessary, in your journey. I will leave you with one of my favorite chapters in the Psalms, one I find encouraging every time I read it. Be blessed, and keep fighting - God has got you!