One of my objectives with this website is to reach out to and dialogue with those who struggle with chronic pain or illness. This particular demographic knows well the frustration, loneliness, misunderstanding, and discouragement associated with chronic debilitation. And in this increasingly stifling economic environment, there is growing financial strain as well. All of this can lead to an overwhelming sense of loss. That sense of loss is what I hope to address with this blog.

Most associate the grief of loss with death, and surely grief is a common and natural human response to that unavoidable human experience. But individuals who find themselves suddenly overwhelmed by unexpected and debilitating illness will also find it necessary to grieve. Sometimes there’s no emotional or spiritual healing until the grieving process is allowed to run its course.

For those whose lives have not been interrupted by chronic illness, allow me to explain this loss. Depending on the severity of one’s illness, most if not all dreams, hopes, aspirations, and goals must die. Some must forego a dream of excelling in sports. Some face an inability to finish school, to hold a job, to communicate clearly, to drive an automobile, to walk without assistance, to have children, or to perform the most typical and seemingly simple daily chores of basic living. Most cannot function without effect-laden medications. 

Some smaller hopes and goals can fall by the wayside:  the desire to be – a reliable employee, a more involved and active parent, a more productive and supportive spouse, a more active servant in the church, or a greater contributor to one’s community.

Unfortunately, an overwhelming sense of guilt and/or failure can accompany such losses. We are often not the person we once were or desire to be.

I believe this is where grief comes in. I know I had to grieve. I had to put to rest the old expectations of myself and the corresponding dreams. After all, I could not move forward so long as I had a vise grip on what had been. I had to wrap those dreams in a neat little package and lay them at the base of the cross – that place of triumphant mercy. Then and only then did I find the grace to accept my limitations. Then and only then could I move forward with adjusted and reasonable goals. Then and only then did I heal.

Has a diagnosis rocked your world? Are you struggling with fading dreams? Are you wracked with guilt or feelings of failure? Allow yourself a healing grief. Then soar once again under the power of His grace with adjusted goals. There is victory in empowered living.

All glory to the Great Physician.

Joy in Jesus,

Jacquee