Your Sick Literary Character is…
Beth march.
In Louisa May Alcott's, Little Women, Beth was the frail baby sister of the March family. A homebody and a Mama's girl, Beth was the dearest beloved of all the sisters.
Beth survived Scarlet Fever but never returned to full health. Her heart and immune system were weakened leaving her with just enough energy to play her beloved piano and help "Marmie" around the house.
Beth's beauty was in her acceptance of her weakness. She had great faith in our Sovereign God and determined not to complain about the life she was given, weak as it was.
Beth delighted in serving her family. Rather than focusing on what she didn't have, Beth focused on what she did have: a family who loved her, a home to serve in, and a God who she would soon see face-to-face.
What do you focus on when you are ill?
Beth is a great role-model in her acceptance of God's will for her life. Sickness and weakness were part of her life but by accepting that God was still good and was still with her, she was able to live contentedly.
Beth reminds us of Paul in Phillipians 4:11-13, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
You, too, can find contentment in your sickness.
3 Things to Learn from Your Sick Literary Character
1. Include familiar items in your healing environment.
Like Beth, much of your comfort will be found at home among your family. If possible, keep family close even if it means setting yourself up on the living room sofa. Or you may choose to stay in your bedroom with the door cracked open so you can delight in the everyday sounds of family life. A companion animal or family pet can also bring great comfort and support.
Beth enjoyed music. It's no surprise that science has confirmed the healing benefits of music:
reduced perception of intense pain
improved sleep quality
reduced stress
elevated mood and decreased symptoms of anxiety & depression
increased cognitive function
So, of course, you will want to include soothing music to your healing environment. Classical, instrumental, and praise music will be a must.
2. Serve God, even in sickness.
Beth found little ways to serve God by serving her family. You can too. Do you knit? Knit booties for NICU babies. Do you paint? Paint a scripture poster for your living room to encourage the whole family. Do you pray? Pray for your pastor as he prepares the sermon each week.
If you don't know how to serve God within the limits of your illness, ask God to show you how. He delights in answering the prayers of His children.
3. Find a community to alleviate isolation.
Beth took comfort in the presence of her family and the ever-present God who loved her.
You can too. Chronic illness may isolate you from friends and family but you are never completely alone. God is always with you.
It is also good to connect with someone who has lived with a struggle or illness similar to yours. Someone who has learned to depend on God for strength and friendship.
That's why I began the private Living Faithfully with Rare and Chronic Illness group. I'd love to see you there where you can meet others who are walking a similar path with Jesus. I invite you to join us... it's FREE so give it a try.
Who’s the book-loving, chronically ill girl behind all this? Let me introduce myself!
Hey, I’m Nicole O'Meara. I help Christian women living with chronic illness find hope and community.
I've been in your shoes, in fact, I still am.
I live with two rare diseases and one undiagnosed illness. My body is a scrapbook of scars that tell a story of God's faithfulness through hard trials. Through my journey with illness, I have learned that hope is never inappropriate.
Now I want to help you find that same hope!
Extra Resources to Help You Find Hope!
1. Follow me on Instagram. I post mini-devos of encouragement regularly as well an occasional photo of my aussiedoodle. 🐶
2. Read this post from my blog. Beth loved music and so do I. If you are like us in this way, you will be encouraged by this post about how God comforted me through a song. (There are several more posts about music and healing. Just search my blog for "music.")
3. Join my FREE Facebook group: Living Faithfully with Rare & Chronic Illness. It's all about community. My FREE Facebook group is a for Christian women just like you. It's a hope-filled, faith-based community where we focus on what God is doing in us, not what our illness has taken from us. Come be known.