Last week we looked at five more reasons for our falls as believers (and humans) and how God can use our moments of discouragement for our good, others’ good, and ultimately His glory. Today we finish that list with one more purpose to our falls, then we’ll look at some practical tips for getting back […]
The Day I Fell I took a fall the other day. Not the kind of fall that sends you down with a stubbed toe or a stinging knee, but the fall that sends you down with a bruised heart and a throbbing spirit. After a few weeks of mild improvement with my health, my hopes […]
Last week we looked at how to find grace, joy, and peace in chronic illness based on Elisabeth Elliot’s short devotional about the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” by Horatio G. Spafford: by receiving what God has given us and by relinquishing what He takes from us. As I meditated on Elisabeth Elliot’s […]
I recently started reading Elisabeth Elliot’s book Secure in the Everlasting Arms, a collection of short devotional thoughts from the newsletter she wrote for almost twenty years. The very first entry hit me square between the eyes. The Lot We’re Dealt The entry is titled “Whatever My Lot” and, after giving a brief, personal backstory […]
Two weeks ago we looked at the context for Jeremiah’s letter to the Jewish captives and God’s message to them (and us): stop panicking, pick up your hammer, and make yourself at home. In other words, don’t fight what is part of God’s plan for good. We also saw how part of making ourselves at […]
I recently read through the book of Jeremiah in my morning devotions, and God gave me a load of encouragement from Jeremiah 29. I took tons of notes and am excited to share those notes with you in the hopes they can encourage you too. A Message for the Needy First of all, let’s set […]
Last week we looked at four encouraging themes from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings that parallel Scripture truths for us in our valley of chronic illness. This week we look at the last four: 5. Our needs will be met along the way All now seemed dry and silent; but refusing to despair Sam stooped […]
I just finished re-reading The Lord of the Rings again. Each time I read this masterpiece I gain a new layer of appreciation for the story, the writing, the characters, the themes, and the language. While all those things impacted and inspired me afresh this time around, I also found a new connection with Frodo […]
“You are not your diagnosis.” Have you heard this phrase? Commonly spoken to chronic illness warriors both in and outside the Christian community, it’s true. We are not defined by our illness. Our limitations. Our losses. Our physical changes. On the converse, we’re not defined by our health either. Our abilities. Our talents. Our physical […]
Thank you, Sara, for sharing your story with us! Tell us about yourself! My name is Sara Willoughby, I’m the author of He’s Making Diamonds, about faith in God in chronic illness. I am also the founder and host of the Diamonds conference, a free online conference for Christians with chronic illnesses, and a Young […]
The Valley