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 Intercessory Ministry of Prayer Shawls
Part of creating hand-made shawls is the spiritual discipline of intercessory prayer for those who will receive them. Both the shawl maker and the recipient are invited to practice the presence of God.
Our Steady Hope
Despite years of medical interventions, my challenges were now worse than ever. Dare I risk disappointment yet again? After prayerful reflection, I knew the answer was “Yes.” God reminded me that my hope was ultimately in Him, beyond any human wisdom or cure.
Broken Bones and Ordering the Chaos: finding patience in difficult times
Several weeks ago, I fell and broke my hip – a painful injury on top of my rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The key to unraveling the chaos is to focus on God. He always sees through to the peaceful pace. He knows exactly what we need.
In Jesus’ Name: Three Simple Words for Intentional Reflection
Taking things for granted happens in many areas of our lives – but intentionally pausing to reflect can reorient us. This happened to me recently as I reflected on the phrase “in Jesus’ name.”
3 Leadership Principles from the Golden Rule
Servant-hearted leaders: learn how the Golden Rule encourages us to think of the kindness we wish others would show us; do the same for them.
You Are Worthy of Soul Care
A couple of years ago, I burned out spectacularly. Friends and mentors had warned me. I did not know what it meant to practice self-care.
To Be With God
The agony of my physical afflictions can often wear me down. Sometimes, I can barely speak a word of worship, let alone think straight. That is when my praise is reduced to whispering one phrase over and over: “Jesus Christ, Son of God, ruler of heaven and earth.”
In Sickness and in Health • Part One
“. . .in sickness and in health.” You have no real way of knowing exactly what you’re pledging when you utter those five little words.
Identifying and Letting Go of False Guilt
Actual guilt comes from wrongdoing, though, in the case of false guilt since I haven’t done anything wrong to deserve feeling this way. It occurs when you feel responsible, ashamed, or down on yourself for something you can’t control. False guilt can be draining and serves no useful purpose, so it’s essential to recognize it and find ways to let it go.