Blog Posts to Inspire
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
Discover stories of encouragement and hope. Gain new perspectives. Wrestle with hard questions. And learn to thrive in a life with chronic illness, mental illness, chronic pain, and disability.
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;I will proclaim your greatness. (Psalm 145:6)
INSPIRING BLOG POSTS
We all have questions, grief, discouragement, pain, feelings of discontent, and sorrow. Chronic illness just seems to magnify all the issues. There are no pat answers to all our questions. How do we find inspiration when we feel so alone? Could we encourage you to read our inspiring blog posts and webpages that wrestle with the difficult questions and share different perspectives?
Together in radical community, as we tell our own stories, we will find ways to encourage one another and build each other up. Even when we don’t have all the answers, we are encouraged when we see others who struggle as we do. It helps us know we are not alone. We really are sharing life and discovering hope.
ENCOURAGEMENT AMID ILLNESS AND PAIN
We have many contributing writers who share thoughtful and heartfelt articles. They are not afraid to write about their struggles or wrestle with difficult circumstances and questions. They explore ways to find joy and peace as well as ways to thrive in a life of chronic illness.
Some posts encourage us to explore the difficulties and to bring our lament to God. There are no quick fixes and often our circumstances change very little, but as we read through these stories, we are better able to face our struggles.
By sharing their stories, these writers show us how they work through difficulties. They show us despair but also hope, sorrow but also joy, courage, and endurance. Through their struggles, we might just find a way through ours that leads to peace. God is working in our lives even when we aren’t aware it’s happening.
INSPIRING BLOG POSTS • SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Chronic Joy® blog posts will inspire us to discover joy and peace even amid our suffering and struggles. As you scroll through our posts, you will find a wide variety of stories for those affected by chronic illness, mental illness, caregivers, teens, and parents. Find tools for anxiety, depression, poetry, prayer, #StepRepPray, and so much more – something for everyone.
There are articles to encourage you to reach out to others who are hurting. Some posts explain how to find joy in unexpected places. Many writers share how they found God’s comfort and love not despite illness, but because of illness.
Because we have a wide variety of guest writers, there is something for everyone in our inspiring blog posts. So grab a cup of coffee or tea, find a comfortable place to rest, and take time to read through some of the heartfelt words of fellow travelers.
The Power of Small
God never intends for life’s challenges to diminish our purpose or worth. He desires to bring forth new treasures of faith and grace, gifts we can share whether seen or unseen.
With Love from Chronic Joy
Chronic Joy is an everyday Valentine and love letter to you. Our heart's have always been to share God’s love, kindness, and our tools and resources.
Awareness: The Gentle Art of Noticing the Sacred in our Midst
I have a goal of seeking to sense the sacred in the everyday, then write about my experiences (which are often expressed as poetry). This poem arose from a desire to listen better and sense God’s presence more deeply. It also stemmed from a reflective look at times when noticing has paid dividends for me in terms of heightened awareness of the sacred in my midst.
Surrendered to God’s Anything
There are times we pray safe and there are times we pray dangerous. In the moment of surrender, we declare “Lord, let Your will, not mine be done. Glorify Yourself in my life. Whatever it is you want from me, I’ll do anything.” The anything He chose for me was to walk through a medical condition I didn't expect.
Comfort for Hurting Moms
Our God sees, hears, and keeps his promises. He is the great “I am”—our self-existent, unchanging, creating, and sustaining Lord. And he is gloriously good—full of mercy, grace, love, faithfulness, and forgiveness. God’s character, including these and many more attributes described in his word, offers great comfort to hurting moms. How can this be?
Your Story Matters
Before we begin to share our stories with others and before we wrestle with how vulnerable we might want to be, it makes sense to really know our stories. My story matters and so does yours.
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish – It’s Essential
Self-care includes the whole self - body, soul, mind, and spirit. When one is neglected, all are affected. I’d let so many things creep in without thinking, and I’d neglected myself. Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s an essential part of life.
Dealing with Emotions
You’ve likely experienced a myriad of emotions related to being stricken with a chronic illness. How do you deal with those emotions? Do you find healthy outlets for them or do you feel so overwhelmed that you keep them locked inside?
What’s Your Sign from God?
Timely encouragement could point others to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That would be the very best sign from God!
New Things: Finding and Sharing Truth and Beauty
The phrase “springs forth” calls me to share what I learn, to encourage others to seek truth, beauty, and new things in their everyday lives.
God’s Threefold Blessing
The priests in the temple would use this prayer of blessing as a benediction, a practice which continues in many churches today—and in many homes as a night-time prayer. Binding these words on our hearts will help us to embrace them as the gift that they are.
Three Leadership Principles for Everyone
Even if you don’t hold a position officially-recognized or defined as “leader,” you are still responsible for guiding some people in some way. Think of your specific situation as you read and apply these leadership principles.