Out of the blue it seems you wake with an illness that does not seem to go away despite the efforts of doctors and yourself. It seems like yesterday you were navigating life with family with great ease then along comes pain or debilitating chronic disease that stops you in your tracks. How do you grieve well the life you once had while leaning into what God has planned for your future?
The first thing that we must do upon a diagnosis with a chronic illness is to sit in the reality that life has changed. We may no longer be able to participate in activities that we once loved. For a season, we may have to give up a job or income that a is necessary to keep our family afloat.
Find a good doctor!
Secondly, you need the care of a proper health care professional. Following a plan to help you navigate your diagnosis will get you to a place where you are able to find a new normal. To have a doctor or nurse practitioner that you can clearly communicate is key. So many times it takes a long period before we find the right provider who will listen. Do not stop searching! Those health care workers are out there, and they can help you begin a management plan.
The next step is rest. Your body needs rest and you need to make the time for it. So many times our illness will stop us dead in our tracks, and out of guilt we push through to manage. Other times it stops us cold and we have no choice, but to rest. Regardless of your story, your body is crying out for rest , and you need to give the body what it is needing.
How to grieve well with chronic illness:
Now on to the grieving well part of life with chronic illness. We must acknowledge our feelings of loss. There are several ways to do this process one is through journaling what you are feeling physically and emotionally. What does the sudden life change make you feel? What are you missing out on that makes you angry? When did you first feel this symptom? There are so many questions to walk through as you journal your grief.
The next way to manage your grief well, as you live with chronic illness, is to make a plan to see a counselor. If you live in an area where there is someone who specializes in dealing with this type of grief then make an appointment. Being able to talk about it with a professional is a perfect way to grieve well your life with chronic illness.
Get into the Bible for answers
Another coping mechanism to grieving well in your life with chronic illness is to spend time in God’s Word. In Matthew 4:23, we read about Jesus healing the sick.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
This is not the first or only occurrence, but it does give context that God is our healer. Finding Scriptures to remind us of this truth and promise helps us grieve well our own chronic illness.
Spending time in prayer crying out to God about he reality of the change of what was in our life is an excellent way to grieve well. God’s shoulders are broad, and He can take the feelings we have that come with grief-denial, anger, bargaining, and acceptance. He want us to tell Him what we are truly feeling. He wants to be our Comforter.
A great way to rewire our thoughts is a topic that I talk about. Read here to see what has worked in my grieving the former way of life while keeping a mentally healthier outlook on the new normal.
An amazing way to grieve well with chronic illness that may be unexpected is to…
listen to music that is uplifting or draw us to God. When I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I spent time listening to Christian music. This helped me cry out to God in song as I mentioned in the above paragraph. This music began to help me grieve well this new life with a chronic pain. In that grief, I began to find a healing of my soul.
As you grieve life with chronic illness, what ways have you found to help you grieve well? Share them with me!