Nearly one in two Americans suffers from chronic illness. Most of us live with the challenges of illness in family members, friends, or ourselves.
Regardless of the unique face of your disease, chronic illness breeds physical, emotional and spiritual devastation. When we’re sick and hurting, pain and weakness scream for our attention. Fear and doubt take root in our hearts and minds. Questions about suffering tear at the fabric of our Christian beliefs.
Our health situations may not change. We may not be healed. But sustained by God’s comfort and strength, in turn, we can comfort others. I pray the resources on this Web site will comfort, encourage, and give you hope for each step of your journey with illness.
Web Sites
- Cancer Patient Advocate - Information and resources to provide emotional and spiritual comfort for those with serious illness, especially cancer.
- Healing Well - Resources, information, and articles on diseases, disorders, and chronic illness.
- Joni and Friends - Resources for people with disabilities and churches that desire to minister to the disabled.
- Rest Ministries, Inc. - International support ministry for people with chronic illness and chronic pain. Offers resources, Bible studies, online support groups, and a daily devotional. Publishes HopeKeepers Magazine.
- Where is God? - Provides helpful links to sites of several disorders and conditions and support ministries as well as articles and online support groups.
Books
- Being Sick Well by Dr. Jeffrey Boyd, M.D., M.Div., M.P.H.
Dr. Jeffrey Boyd, a Christian physician whose late wife suffered from numerous chronic illnesses, writes an honest, compassionate guide to living a joy-filled life while coping with pain and illness. - Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend by Lisa Copen
Like others with chronic illness, I often wonder how to respond when someone says, “Let me know if you need anything.” Now I’ve found the perfect responses this powerful little book, Beyond Casseroles is packed with simple, meaningful tips and suggestions for encouraging friends who are ill. - The Bumps Are What You Climb On by Warren Wiersbe
These meditations encourage us to view difficult situations in life as “bumps” to climb on the road to spiritual growth. - You Gotta’ Keep Dancin’ by Tim Hansel
Pain is unavoidable, but misery is optional! The author, who lives with chronic pain, explains how to choose joy in the midst of the most painful life experiences. - Where is God When it Hurts? by Philip Yancey
Using examples from the Bible and his own experiences, Philip Yancey looks at pain from God’s perspective and helps us understand why we suffer.