Finding Christ in the Struggle: Encouragement for Those With Chronic IllnessSýnishorn

The human body is so fascinating, unique, and frail it makes diagnosing illnesses tricky. Upon hearing a diagnosis, most patients want to know the fate that awaits them. While chronic illnesses are treatable, the majority aren’t curable. This poses a grim outcome.

As if the symptoms that drove a patient to seek medical attention aren’t enough, doctors proceed to give them a wealth of information along with it. In short, patients receive bad news on top of bleak news covered in a cloud of hopelessness. The experience is overwhelming. 

Upon leaving the doctor’s office, feelings of uncertainty well up all over again as patients deliver the tragic outcomes to their families, friends, and coworkers. The reality that the future is unpredictable is compounded, knowing even the best specialists cannot pinpoint what’s in store in the months ahead.

Most patients pray for a miracle, asking for healing. If it doesn’t come, it’s easy to lose hope. 

The prophet Jeremiah spoke of hope when he shared words the Lord gave him while addressing the Jews during a dark time of exile. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

It’s important to know that as believers, we have hope, but hope doesn’t mean physical healing or a quick fix. In fact, it would be years after hearing these words before the Jews experienced relief from their circumstances.

In a world that leaves medical professionals answering patient questions with, “I don’t know” and as chronic illness patients come to the sad realization no one will truly know what they’re experiencing, believers can remain confident that God knows what’s in store for us. 

He sees, knows, and cares. While our daily lives are unpredictable, our future holds a promising eternity with Him.

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