This is a subject that almost everyone has experience of, being ill! How is faith sustained through constant, repeated or chronic illness! The subject area is huge and I'm sure there are some good books out there, but I find at the moment there are many around me who are having to face these challenges (no not me :)).
So the following includes some brief pointers from my experiences, and those of others who have shared with me, on how to keep on this journey of life in the hard times:
1, Regular sustained prayer.
Have a routine of prayer using a daily office, or something written down together with short bible readings. When we are ill it is difficult to enter into "free/extemporised" prayer but it usually possible to read in short bursts.
2, Learn to meditate
Using something like the Jesus prayer, which is a very simple one sentence repetition, can help focus the mind away from the pain or the discomfort and towards God. Books by David Adam can be good aids in this area.
3, Routine of Life
Try and keep some routine to your day, washing, dressing etc etc. It sounds fairly obvious but it has a dramatic effect, no coincidence that hospital nursing focuses on ensuring patients keep a structured day.
4, Keep a journal
Writing thoughts and feelings down can be a huge help to many people and can also be a good aid to stopping your mind wandering into dark and confused places. It doesn't have to be words either, pictures, scribbles, doodles can be equally useful.
5, There is a time for lament
Talk about this with an elder/minister/pastor and work out what lament means for you. There is a renewed interest in this area and Michael Card's book "A Sacred Sorrow" is a must for understanding how to reach out to God in the language of lament.
6, Know your trusted support people
As harsh as this may sound, some people are good at positive and sensitive support and some people are not... there are some superb support groups around, find one for yourself...find yourself a soul friend, etc...
7, Listen to your Doctor
It can be a difficult thing to do at times, especially when by the time you go to see the Doctor you are far from your coherent best, but Doctors become Doctors (in the main) because they want to help people. Be open and honest with them, right things down before your appointments for clarity and better communication.
8, Miracles do happen
Yes miracles do happen but... ours is not to know when, where or why...prayer for healing is fraught with complications,but in the right way, and with the right experience, is an amazing tool.
9, Body, mind and spirit are inextricably interlinked.
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(Please note, these are a collection of short notes/observations, in no particular order and are shared with the hope that they will help and give hope, with a view to the reader exploring further, there is no quick fix solution in any of the above...thank you to those people who have shared their experiences and insights with me)
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