DISCOVERING HOPE RESOURCES
STORY MATTERS
Writing the Story of Your Illness
We can feel isolated and powerless when living with chronic illness, but what if your story begins to bridge those barriers? What if your story begins a conversation? Opens a door for someone to connect, to feel less isolated and alone? What if your story offers a glimmer of hope to someone standing at the edge of hopelessness?
What if your story starts the conversation?
Click here for a great resource to help you write the story of your illness.
LAMENT
Writing Your Own Lament
Pushing our pain aside, covering it up or feeling shame because we feel it, diminishes our human experience. Even Jesus cried out in pain, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46b)
If Jesus, God in human flesh, cried out in anguish in the garden of Gethsemane and from the cross, if he wept over Lazarus’ death, why do we feel it is faithless to lament? Why do we fear to embrace what God so clearly expresses in His Word?
Illness, pain and grieving are messy and complicated. Yet God says, “Take heart.”
Click here for a resource to help you experience and write your own lament.
FINDING PURPOSE RESOURCES
BIBLICAL PURPOSE STATEMENT
Writing Your Own Biblical Purpose Statement
By definition, purpose encompasses our intentions and objectives. It’s the reason something exists or was created, the reason we act or choose not to act.
Often when we think of purpose, we think in terms of employment, relationship status (daughter, son, friend, husband, wife, mother, father, neighbor), volunteer or service work, or contributions to society. And while those are good and valuable, they are only a partial definition.
Click here for a resource to help you develop your own purpose statement.
ALLEGORY
Writing Your Own Allegory
Allegory is a beautiful, artistic form of storytelling that weaves difficult or abstract truths in ways that are easily relatable and understandable. Meaning is often woven through places and characters named for their qualities, strengths or weaknesses.
Click here for a resource to enjoy writing your own allegory.
LECTIO DIVINA
Lectio Divina – The Practice of Holy Reading
Lectio Divina is the ancient practice of slowly, contemplatively reading the words of Scripture, an invitation to encounter God through His Word, to pay close attention, to be fully present.
As we step into the practice of holy reading, we begin to discover the underlying spiritual rhythm of our lives, a rhythm sewn into the creation of the world. Day follows night. Tides rise and fall. Months and seasons change as we note the waxing and waning of the moon. And we learn to celebrate new life, sometimes even as we grieve significant loss.
Click here for a resource to help you enter into this ancient practice.
LEADER RESOURCES
This practical guide walks you through the first steps toward building a chronic illness small group in your church or organization. BUILD AN ILLNESS MINISTRY
This useful tool provides a framework for grace and peace in a chronic illness small group: SMALL GROUP POLICY
AWARENESS RESOURCES
Free Printable Facts
These quick easy fact sheets can be used with those in your sphere of influence – friends, family, churches, small groups, co-workers and neighbors too promote knowledge, awareness and education.
