One of the mental hurdles sufferers have to overcome is the age-old question, “Why me?” The longing to understand “Why me?” often transforms itself into a different question, “What did I do to deserve this?” For Christians who are suffering, these questions can often be translated into “What sin have I committed to deserve [...]
In the book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, Harold S. Kushner writes conversationally to the sufferer and establishes himself as someone who has “skin in the game” as he recounts how his son Aaron suffered from a disease called Progeria (“rapid aging”) which led to his premature death. Kushner knows suffering, his [...]
The goal of this post is not to stoke the fire between “liberals” and “conservatives.” I am not into politics unless I am watching this video (click) or this video (click). I purposely waited for the Planned Parenthood videos revealing adults negotiating prices for dismembered “fetal tissue” to largely disappear before posting this article. [...]
That’s not typically the first thing you think of when suffering – at least, I know it wasn’t for me. Sometimes our suffering overwhelms us and we can’t think of anything else. Sometimes we just prefer to wallow in our self-pity, questions, and sadness. But, more about that in a moment. To begin, [...]
In times of difficulty and suffering there are three vastly different types of comforters: 1) There is a group of comforters I like to call the “self-absorbed comforters.” They appear unfazed and unconcerned about those who are suffering around them (Luke 10:30-32; Jas 2:15-16). Initially, their lack of empathy/ sympathy is very hurtful to the [...]
American society frequently uses the phrase “thank God.” More often than not, the phrase is used for a meaningless event in one’s life. “Thank God!” when a favorite show is ready to start a new season, and “thank God!” when the wait at a restaurant is short. Other times, it is used appropriately by [...]
Leading up to my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, my ability to stand unassisted and walk had deteriorated greatly. After over a year of symptoms, I submitted to them and saw a doctor which resulted in my diagnosis. In addition to diagnosing me, the doctor prescribed a series of steroid infusions to help “cool off” [...]
One of the challenges sufferers face after they are diagnosed and disability begins to rear its ugly head is the treatment they receive from those closest to them. In many respects one expects “outsiders” not to “get it,” but when friends, family, and co-workers don’t, it hurts. The sadness derived by the sudden change [...]
