Have you ever felt alone during times of pain and suffering? Or have you ever wished that there was somebody that you could feel free to share your troubles with? Having lived with chronic back pain for years, I understand that it is difficult for people who haven't experienced this to be able to relate to it. I began to realize that people just didn't comprehend what I was going through. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis, which is a form of spinal arthritis. I have given detailed information about it on the page that tells "My Arthritis Story." It is common for arthritis symptoms to vary from day to day. I am sure that the same holds true for Fibromyalgia and perhaps many other conditions as well. Therefore, it is hard for some people to understand why someone can function reasonably well on one day while on another day they may not even be able to get out of bed. If you are living with any type of chronic pain or condition, you have probably gotten tired of having to explain this to people. After awhile, I found that it became easier to just let people draw their own conclusions. Unfortunately, I discovered that this led to a lot of confusion. For if we don't let people know that we are hurting, they assume that we are not. It is kind of like a no win situation that chronic pain sufferers face.

As a Christian, I want to be strong in faith and put my best foot forward each day. I am thankful to have many days when I feel good about what I am able to accomplish in spite of the pain in my body. There are other days, however, when I feel quite overwhelmed and discouraged. Thank goodness that I have the Lord to turn to. He always knows what I am going through and I never have to explain because He always understands. Whenever I am struggling to walk across the room or get out of bed or sit in a chair, He knows. Whenever I have to tell someone that I'm not up to socializing, He knows the reason why. Whenever I am struggling just to make it through the day, He knows what I am feeling. I am thankful that I can always turn to Him. I am also thankful that I belong to an Arthritis Support Group. Everyone there has one thing in common. They are all living with chronic pain. I've discovered that pain and sickness have a way of causing us to be more understanding and compassionate towards others who are suffering. Today when I see someone who is limping, walking slow, or in a wheelchair I have genuine concern for them. I've asked myself, what can be done to help these people? Aside from a willingness to pray for them, I believe that it's important to help them in whatever way seems appropriate. This might range from holding a door open for someone to perhaps calling them and asking them how they are doing. Sometimes I think that people are afraid to ask a sick person how they are feeling. Yet, I feel that this helps to let the person know that their condition is taken seriously and that they are being supported. Even if the answer is always the same, it is still nice to be asked.

Are you needing someone to talk to or are you feeling overwhelmed by your circumstances? First, I would suggest taking it to the Lord in prayer. He will sustain you and guide you along your pathway to healing. Secondly, I would hope that you would consider combining the power of prayer with seeking the best medical care for yourself. If you are feeling depressed, it is probably a good idea to share that with your Physician. There are medications that are available to help you. Third, I would recommend finding a support group of some kind. It always helps to communicate with people who can truly understand how you feel. I also hope that you would consider writing to me. I strongly believe in supporting those who are battling sickness. Whether you'd like prayer, or just someone who will listen, or if you have comments or questions, you can feel free to contact me. I would be happy to help in any way that I can. Below you will find several links that will take you to others who are offering additional hope, encouragement, and support. Take heart and remember that GOD has promised that He will never leave you. He will strengthen and uphold you and bring peace to sustain and comfort you. No matter what the trial, you are never really alone. He is always by your side.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is only temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compasssion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, SO THAT we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Carry each other's burdens, and in this
way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

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