Finding Hope in Philippians for Living With Chronic Pain and Illness Sample

Above All Else

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. —Philippians 3:8-9

To others, most chronic pain sufferers look the same as anyone else on the outside. They may have a steady job, a loving family, a nice car, adorable pets, and a beautiful house. But people can’t see all that is going on inside that person and how agonizing it is to maintain a “perfect” front, to attend events in a pain-induced fog, barely going through the motions. Appearing “normal” is a daily struggle since society often defines someone by what they can or cannot do.

Chronic pain causes many people to give up on the things they love to do or want to do, often in an attempt to just get through the day without having a full-blown flare-up. Changes are made. Dreams and plans are lost or forgotten. Life slowly unravels one piece at a time.

Paul wrote Philippians 3:8-9. He shared his story to bring others to Christ. In many ways, he wasn’t all that different from us. He is often viewed as a man who lived a good and holy life. That image doesn’t make it easy to see him as an example of the average person. But the truth is that he, too, was just a mere mortal. It took years for him to become an apostle. He experienced great success and notoriety, but he also understood the pain of tremendous loss. Paul grieved and suffered. Yet above all else, he valued his relationship with Jesus. We can follow his example of looking to Jesus and following Him.

Like Paul, it’s okay for us to grieve what we’ve lost. Also like Paul, we can find joy in gaining a deeper, stronger relationship with Jesus. Daily successes are nowhere near as important. Physical healing may not occur this side of Heaven, but spiritual healing and strengthening can.

Lord, thank You that through all I’ve lost due to my illness and pain, I’ve gained much more in my relationship with You. Amen.