Chris gave me five books from my Amazon wish list for Christmas.  Some girls ask for jewelry and spa days. Me? I ask for books. He knows me so well! Now if I can just find five weekends to read my new books… I promise to share my thoughts with you as soon as I turn the last page(s).  

Donald Whitney is the author of one of those books.  I recently read a thought provoking article he wrote for desiringgod.org called, “Ten Questions for the New Year.”   His list of questions is less about making New Year’s resolutions and more about contemplating where you plan to put your energy in the coming year.  I appreciated that.  As a survivor/fighter of an undiagnosed disease, making New Year’s resolutions raises apprehension in my soul.  To make  a resolution feels risky.  Any goal taken seriously enough to write down in ink is just another thing that I may have to grieve later.  But flipping the perspective from goal-setting to goal-contemplating… well, that I can do.  

Where will you put your energy in 2020?   Let’s face it, life is different for those of us fighting rare, undiagnosed and chronic diseases. How we spend our valuable and limited energy is very much tied to the unique characteristics of our diseases.  So, let’s customize Mr. Whitney’s list and ask ourselves these five questions.

Five New Year’s Questions for Those Fighting Rare and Chronic Diseases

1. What’s one thing you can do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?  Whatever unique circumstances your disease creates, you are created to know and enjoy God.  How will you do that within the limits of your disease?  

2. If you’ve prayed for healing and God’s answer has been, “No,” or “Not Yet,” what impossible prayer will you persevere in praying this year?  God’s word makes it clear that he never tires of hearing our repeated requests.   (Luke 18:1-8)   But perhaps you do.  How can your prayers reflect your willingness to accept the circumstances God has allowed to permeate your life and endure with faith and contentment?

3. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year?  The limits of your disease may limit the spiritual discipline choices you have or the way in which you practice them.  My recommendation is to follow your interest: which spiritual discipline interests you most?  Consider that interest as a seed planted by God in your soul.  Feed it as much as you can.  (If solitude and silence interest you, I have a free guide to get you started.)

4. What’s the biggest energy-wasting activity in your life and how can you redeem that energy?  I’ll speak for myself and say that my undiagnosed disease seriously limits my stamina.  I faced that head-on again this past week which was chalk-full of holiday activities.  I am still learning to say no to optional activities SO THAT I have energy for the ones that matter most to me.   Let’s acknowledge that as fighters of rare, undiagnosed and chronic diseases, our energy is a priceless resource.  Let’s not waste it.  How can you be intentional with the limited resource God has given you for the greatest eternal impact?

5. What’s the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?  Illness does not disqualify us from participating in God’s community, the church.  It may take some creative thinking to find ways to stay connected and active within the church, but it’s worth the effort.  Not only will you benefit by being amongst his people, being loved and carried when you cannot carry a flickering flame of faith, but you also have the privilege to carry others in your own way.  God has given you a unique suffering to steward for his kingdom.  Let others benefit from the perspective you have by participating in the church, any way you can.  (Below, I have a list of creative ways to serve in the midst of illness.  I’d REALLY like to make this list as exhaustive as possible. You can help me!  If you have a rare or chronic disease and have an idea to add to the list, please comment or send me a note.  Also, please share this list with your friends with rare or chronic disease.  I’d love to add their thoughts to it.)

Take The Time

Answering these questions may take time.  But that’s the point, right?  God’s people are thinking people.  People willing to learn, willing to flex with each new obstacle life places in our path. Every time I study the gospels, I am amazed again at how often Jesus is interrupted in his ministry and how easily he responds to each interruption with gentleness and grace. He takes time to respond to the need, to converse with the questioner.  The long-term plan remained the same, to redeem mankind with the ultimate sacrifice, but his daily schedule was not rigid.  His plans changed, adapting to the needs that arose.  They were not set in stone.  May we think though these questions with long-term goals of partnering with the Holy Spirit in our own sanctification process but also with a willingness to change our plans, correct our paths, and create new conversations.  

In 2020, Soli Deo Gloria.

My Big List of Ways to Serve While Fighting Rare and Chronic Diseases

I started this list for myself when I was bedridden for many months. But what I really want is for this list to grow. I want to have the most exhaustive list of ways to serve while fighting rare and chronic diseases. So, please help me add to it.

1. Read this list and send me a note if you have an idea to add to it.

2. Send this list to a friend who is fighting rare or chronic diseases. I want to meet her and I want to hear from her. :)