Life is a Series of Transitions
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Most of us know someone with a chronic illness. Many of us struggle each day with the reminder of our protracted illness. Because the discomfort or fear of a flare-up is ongoing, the malady can take over our lives. Not only must we endure the physical pain, but also the emotional toll that comes from the worry that our illness will disrupt our day or even create embarrassment. Without a change of perspective, the chronic malady will diminish our lives.
The first step in the emotional healing process is to mourn what you’ve lost. Those with chronic pain can no longer do some of the activities they used to enjoy. Back pain can prevent you from participating in sports, hiking, or other activities you once enjoyed. Gut pain, for example, means you may not be able to travel like you used to. Your struggles are worth grieving. Mourning affirms that your former activities were worthy of your attention. Often, the grieving process includes self-criticism. What did I do to cause my suffering? Even if your life choices played a part in your current situation, it does not mean you must continue to beat yourself. You are worthy of a significant life.
Once grief has brought some level of acceptance and healing, we need to change our identity. Who am I as a person who no longer does the old activities? Who am I with more limitations? We need to answer these questions with hopeful anticipation to continue life in a meaningful way. Seeing beyond the limitations allows us to see beyond our illness. Finally, living meaningfully with a chronic ailment necessitates rewriting our story. The athlete who blows out their knee and can no longer play soccer or volleyball must redefine their ambitions. What does your life story look like without your sport? What will replace your former passions? What new passions will bring your fulfillment? Knowing these answers brings inner healing.
Faith is a blessing because it compels us to regularly reflect on our past, our present identity, and where God is guiding us next. Every person, regardless of their health, will experience regular life transitions. As we get older, the number of limitations will increase. Whether or not we meet life’s constraints with faith, courage, and dignity depends on how much we trust God to guide our new calling. Life can transition from one blessing to another, even if a new constraint was the reason for the change. Prayerfully open yourself to trusting God in each life change. Even pain can be part of God’s ever-changing plan for your lives. God can take our discomfort and use it to take us to an even more meaningful life experience. Do not give up, or give in, but offer God your pain, and God will offer a new and blessed life.
