My Life With Chronic Illness And Gods Grace

At the age of seven years old, Julia was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This was during a time when there was little awareness that children do contract this disease. This is her journey from being wheelchair bound to graduating from Vanderbilt University with a double major. The journey she traveled was filled with obstacles and opportunties. The obstacles included eight joint replacement surgeries (the first at age 15), a major cervical fusion surgery, and numerous other surgical procedures. The opportunities she had included marriage, being a mother, serving as an advocate for others with disabilities through volunteer activities with the Athritis Foundation at the local, state, and national levels. She also had opportunity to share her faith in Jesus Christ as she walked the road set before her. Julia believed in the “teamwork” concept of dealing with her disease. Her team was led by Jesus, with her family, friends, and medical staff rounding out her team. It was Julia’s desire that through her journey others would see the strength and hope she experienced. Most importantly she shares that the Lord gives victory amid adversity. She knew this to be true because she has traveled this road.

At the age of seven years old, Julia was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This was during a time when there was little awareness that children do contract this disease. This is her journey from being wheelchair bound to graduating from Vanderbilt University with a double major. The journey she traveled was filled with obstacles and opportunties. The obstacles included eight joint replacement surgeries (the first at age 15), a major cervical fusion surgery, and numerous other surgical procedures. The opportunities she had included marriage, being a mother, serving as an advocate for others with disabilities through volunteer activities with the Athritis Foundation at the local, state, and national levels. She also had opportunity to share her faith in Jesus Christ as she walked the road set before her. Julia believed in the "teamwork" concept of dealing with her disease. Her team was led by Jesus, with her family, friends, and medical staff rounding out her team. It was Julia's desire that through her journey others would see the strength and hope she experienced. Most importantly she shares that the Lord gives victory amid adversity. She knew this to be true because she has traveled this road.

Why is this happening to me? You feel overlooked, deprived, even resentful—these are the side effects of chronic illness your doctor failed to mention. Although you try to see the bright side, your outlook is often overcast by the chronic nature of your condition. While others appear to enjoy good health, you struggle for sensible answers. Like any loss, the loss of health—must be grieved. Pulling from her experience as a caregiver and counselor, June Hunt compassionately takes you through the grieving process, showing you where to find comfort and answers in the Word of God. Enjoy getting biblical insight and practical advice from someone who "gets it." Have you asked... Why is this happening to me? Is God punishing me? Has my sin brought on this condition? If I have enough faith, will God heal me? How can my life have purpose now? Covering everything from anger and fear to loneliness and hopelessness, June Hunt begins the book with a "definition and characteristic" section which addresses the common feelings felt by those with a chronic illness or impairment. Whether you are personally facing a chronic illness or you know someone who is, enjoy getting biblical encouragement. Common Questions Asked by Those with a Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain You have questions—and no one seems to have the answers. Some accuse you of having some secret "un-confessed sin;" while others say you just need more faith. Enjoy getting easy-to-understand answers that are rooted in the Word of God and practical in their application. Using a question and answer format, June Hunt answers: Why did this happen to me? Why would a loving God want me to suffer? Is it okay to pray for miraculous healing? What's the difference between progressive healing and miraculous healing? Could an illness be caused by spiritual warfare? Could it be a result of sin? (And more!) Perfect for small group & Bible studies, Sunday school, chaplaincy, Christian counseling, church giveaways, and much more.

Suffering is inescapable in this world. Jesus told us we would face perilous trials and that even our bodies would feel the effects of the Fall. For women dealing with chronic illness, most books offer quick-fix counseling or devotional verses taken out of context, helpful only for momentary encouragement. For true and lasting comfort we must dig deeper into God's Word and the context in which those much-used passages were written. In Chronic Love, Brooke Bartz reveals a deeply raw and descriptive account of life with a chronic and debilitating illness, and she shares with readers how comfort and strength can be found through the Truth in God's Word. Specifically designed for women who daily battle chronic illness, Chronic Love's goal is to provide solid Scriptural encouragement for the fight.

You just want to be normal. Instead, you have a chronic illness that creates havoc for you and your loved ones. 30 Days of Hope for Strength in Chronic Illness offers real encouragement to anyone feeling betrayed by their body. Diagnosed at an early age with a life-threatening condition, Elizabeth knows what it is like to live with a disease and its fallout. Sharing Scripture and personal reflections about God’s faithfulness, she candidly offers words of encouragement to help recognize God’s blessings and appreciate He is in control.

Where is God when one is experiencing the pail of chronic illness? He may have the whole world in His hands, but sometimes it feels like He trips, hollering Oops as we are flund from His hands, and our lives shatter into pieces. We look at the fragments of our former self, relationships, careers, and dreams, and wonder. Where did I go wrong? Why did God allow this into my life? Will God ever heal me? Mosaic Moments is filled with over 200 devotionals that encourage readers to remain hopeful in the face of illness, because ever though they may feel like a broken pot, God is transforming them into something noble - a mosaic This book is spiritual glue for those feeling crushed in spirit. Through Lisa's devotionals and the contributions of twenty wrtiers, readers will discover that, despite the pain of feeling broken, God is working through their illness to create a precious work of art where they will find unexpected joy.

Behind the Tapestry is the compelling true story told from behind convent walls, of one woman's struggles to "make peace" with a mysterious chronic illness and her unfulfilled dream of being a Catholic nun. Maryanne was a 29 year old graphic designer working towards a lifelong desire to someday move to Hollywood and become an Academy Award winning art director. But an unexpected invitation to a Catholic prayer meeting would forever change Maryanne's life showing her desires she didn't know she possessed. After being abruptly fired from her job and spending a lot of time in prayer, Maryanne embarked on a journey to discover God's will for her life. This quest eventually led her to the Catholic Convent and the realization that all she's ever really wanted was to devote herself to Jesus. Entering Religious Life was all that Maryanne thought about for more than a year but there was a problem. She found herself plagued by a mysterious condition that caused widespread, chronic pain. However, in spite of this pain, Maryanne joined a group of Franciscan Sisters in 1999. Her life in the Convent was filled with many questions, struggles, challenges and a whole lot of physical pain. Then when already strained relationships with her superiors became even more fractured with the lines of communication practically severed, Sister Maryanne was forced to make a heart-wrenching decision. One that would not only impact her life but the lives of those around her. Should she remain in the Convent and go on to take final vows or leave her Religious Life behind and take care of herself instead?

Cancer, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis are just a few of the chronic illnesses that plague many Americans, and Christians are not exempt. Living with a serious illness is not easy. The challenges extend far beyond the physical realm, and maintaining a strong Christian testimony is difficult. Growing in godliness and pleasing God do not come naturally. In the midst of such complex challenges, even the most mature Christians need help. They need more than just shared life stories or practical tips for facing their disease. They need more than poignant illustrations to inspire them or amusing anecdotes to make them laugh. While each of these aspects is helpful, what sufferers need most is the encouraging truth of the Bible. Only the supernatural, unchanging Word of God can give genuine comfort and effective help. Healing for the Heart is a devotional designed for Christians who are serious about seeking Gods help in their time of illness. The entries are focused on Bible truths and are designed to provide encouragement, instruction, and gentle challenge. Strengthen your heart on a daily basis with this biblically-based and compassionately-shared truth.