I’m a type-A perfectionist. As such, one of my biggest strengths is what some might call optimism and what others might call idealism. It’s also my true Achilles heel when this optimism is disappointed and these ideals aren’t met. I aim my expectations at star-level and struggle to pick up the pieces when, after a […]
The life of Joseph is one of the most familiar and beloved Bible stories, with timeless themes of God’s sovereignty, beauty out of ashes, forgiveness, and restoration. (See Pastor Israel’s sermon on the life of Joseph: Part 1 and Part 2.) It’s no wonder Christians in a valley of hardship—chronic illness or otherwise—find solace and […]
We live in a culture of full schedules and frenetic activity. An aspiring college applicant fills her time with co-curricular activities and volunteer hours to set herself apart from the thousands of other applicants to her dream school. The businessman stays late at the office yet again even though he’s already over 60 hours this […]
Originally published on Vaneetha.com on August 24, 2023. Republished with permission from Vaneetha Risner. What do you do when you feel anxious or afraid? Ask a friend for advice? Roll over everything endlessly in your head? Try to distract yourself? Or do you go immediately to God? I’m learning to do the latter but it’s […]
Thank you, Angela, for sharing your story with us! Tell us about yourself! I’m Angela, and I am a bestselling and award-nominated author. I’m a Christian, freelance editor, and artist, and I reside in Tennessee, USA. I’ve been struggling with multiple illnesses for years now, but was recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, Hashimoto’s, Alpha Gal, […]
I started writing this piece last year, only for it to sit, and keep sitting, in my drafts. Now, a year later, it’s finally time to be published. Since most of this post was written in 2023, I’ve kept the original present tense for these sections rather than edit to the past tense. It was […]
Thank you, Rachelle, for sharing your story with us! Tell us about yourself! Hey there! My name is Rachelle and I live in Idaho. If you’ve never been to Idaho, basically imagine a bunch of potato fields, some gorgeous mountain ranges, and the sweetest, most overpriced little capital city you’ve ever seen. I write young […]
Easter is one of my favorite times of year. While celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmas brings excitement, awe, and wonder at God becoming man, commemorating the death and resurrection of this same Jesus at Easter brings a thrill, a joy, and a sense of life that no other day offers. Good Friday carries […]
Hey y’all! Today, Melissa and Janeen are letting the Diamonds Team take over the blog, with a super exciting announcement. The Diamonds 2024 Spring Conference is taking place March 15-17, and you can sign up today! What is Diamonds Spring Conference 2024? Diamonds is an online conference for Christians with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and health […]
Originally published by Jenny Harmon on July 29, 2023, on Oil for Your Lamp. Reposted with permission. Adjusting to life with a disabled body is not for the faint of heart. This transition has felt like being trapped in a perpetual escape room with endless puzzles to solve and no real hope of breaking out. […]
The Valley