Unpredictability of chronic illness

Life with chronic illnesses is so unpredictable that it's predictable. One minute you feel fine, the next you are down for the count.

Sometimes you know you overdid, missed a med dose or ate food you shouldn't have. Other times, there is no rhyme or reason to it.

Sometimes you can push through, other times it pushes you right to bed.

Sometimes you can handle it all with a smile & grace. Other times, you are barely making it through. Tears can be a constant companion those days.

And every person with chronic illnesses is different. Their symptoms are different even if they have the same diagnosis. The way they handle it varies widely. What works for you or your friend/neighbor/family member, may not work for me.

Some of us are new to chronic illnesses. Some of us have dealt with it all our lives. Some of us just have one illness. Others of us have many illnesses.

Sometimes we reach out for help. Other times we withdraw. Many of us suffer in silence. Sometimes because we are tired of talking about our issues. Sometimes because we know others are tired of hearing about our issues. A lot of times we remain quiet because our issues are not life threatening & not as urgent as the issues of those who are facing cancer or death.

Sometimes we are grateful that things are not worse. Other times we are angry that a normal life has been taken from us. Sometimes we are sad that we can't do things with our friends & family. Sometimes we feel guilty that we can't do things with or for our families. Other times we feel like a complete burden to our loved ones.

Sometimes we can't see past our pain & the present. Other times we can see the big picture & see our place in God's plan.

Sometimes our symptoms are our biggest issue. Other times the fear of future symptoms is our biggest issue.

Sometimes we are certain we can get & feel better. Other times we are certain things are getting worse & we will never feel better.

The one thing we can always depend on is God! He is our strength through it all. He is our help when the doctors fail us. He is our comfort when no one else can or will comfort us. Even if we have to face our illnesses for this lifetime, we know that it is not for eternity! When Jesus died & rose again for us, we were given eternal life if we accept that He is our Lord & Savior. When Jesus takes us to Heaven, He is giving us a new body with no pain, no sickness! That gives us hope! With hope in Jesus, we can get through whatever our chronic illnesses throw at us, even if it's very very hard!