Feeling Less Than a Chronic Illness Warrior?

How do we find the courage to keep being brace when we feel so weak? Karen shares.

“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:6).

I’m sure you’ve heard the term “Chronic Illness Warrior.” I have to be honest with you, today I feel like a “Chronic Illness Wimp.” Nothing inside me screams “warrior!”

A month ago I came down with influenza. I have never had the real flu before and I can tell you, it makes you feel like you have run into the side of a mountain at full speed.

Having the flu was difficult enough, but that triggered migraines and a flare up of my auto-immune diseases. While still trying to recover, my weakened immune system gave me another infection. For five weeks it was one thing after another.

Now, every new symptom scares me because I think “what else can go wrong in my body?” It isn’t strong enough to fight anything else.

Today, I prayed “Lord, help me not to be scared in spite of myself.” The Bible is full of verses that tell us to not be afraid.

God told Joshua as he stood ready to go into the Promised Land “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified…” (Joshua 1:9). I wonder if he ever felt more like a wimp than a warrior.

The good news is that we don’t have to come up with the strength to be that warrior, God will provide it. He can do it in spite of our fearful nature.

Whatever has you scared today (there is plenty in this world to scare you), give it to God and trust that He will help you be that warrior you want to be.

God gave Joshua the courage he needed to be a warrior. He did the same for Daniel, David, and Peter just to name a few.

He can do for us what our weak human heart can’t do for itself–be brave.

Prayer: Lord, help my fearful nature. Help me not to be afraid in spite of myself. Help me to trust in You. Amen.

Do you get scared about your health? Do you feel more like a warrior or a wimp today?

About the author:
Karen has dealt with several autoimmune diseases for over 20 years. She has a passion for encouraging others with the hope of God through the path of illness.