Sickness Difficult to Endure

Jeremiah 10:19 - Woe to me because of my injury! My wound is incurable! Yet I said to myself, "This is my sickness, and I must endure it."

​In previous posts, I wrote about being diagnosed with an incurable disease. This is where the battle begins to accept what’s happened to you.
 
So how do you endure a painful sickness for what may be the rest of your life?
 
One of the first things to remember is that there are other people who have a much worse situation to endure –

• Cancer, being paralyzed, inability to control bodily functions, or those who live in a situation where no one believes what you’re going through and aren’t willing to help.

 
Second, find out as much as you can about your sickness –

• What kind of treatments are there and is there something dietary that you can change to enhance your ability to endure the side effects of the disease?

 
Third, surround yourself with people who also are enduring sickness –

• What ways have they found to do more than just endure?

 
Forth, find a support group for living with chronic illnesses –

• You may not find a support group locally, but there are support groups online such as this website where I bring information and encouragement to those walking through painful health situations.

 
Fifth, find a physician who’s on your side –

• Finding a physician who identifies your health risks, is willing to treat you with dignity and compassion along with presenting you with cutting edge treatments is a must. You may need to find a physician at a university hospital where doctors are trained in the latest treatment options.

 
Sixth, it’s important to keep your body moving –

• Many fitness centers have programs that address the needs of those attending that take into account strength levels and any restrictions from your physician.

 
Seventh, just because you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic illness it doesn’t mean that life has stopped -

• Find ways to enhance your life. Perhaps you’re no longer able to do many of the things you used to do. Now is a good time to examine new adventures. Try a new hobby or be a support person yourself by sending out encouraging notes to those enduring pain or an incurable sickness. This in turn will lift your spirits as well.

 
And last, take a look at people in the Bible who had to endure sickness or pain –
The prophet Jeremiah in the verse above was one of those who suffered greatly. He acknowledged that he was in pain instead of covering it up. He knew that he had to endure his sickness, yet he never gave up on God. He knew God was the only one who could handle his emotional state and wouldn’t turn away from him. God will also never turn away from you. He can help you endure the disease and still flourish through pain.

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