A place to find hope and share pain in the struggles of chronic illness within the framework of Christian existence. I welcome the sufferers and those who try help them ("the strong ones"). Both suffer horribly from the ravages of chronic illness such as fibromyagia, chronic fatigue, lupus, and more. Perhaps we can minister to one another.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Wondering
There are a number of people following this blog, but few comment. It is lonely. One wonders if there is a point to it, then. Is there?
I hear you, and I share your view. You have prompted me to action. I do read everything you post. Sometimes I wish for something like a Facebook "like" button to show that I've read something and agree with it.
It is lonely out there, even with Facebook friends and family. I post things in my life that are clearly triumphs for me, only to hear the crickets chirping. I post images to Flickr which at least shows view counts, but same thing, Some Flickr groups note that phenomenon and create groups with "Post one, comment three" rules. But then you start seeing photos with manipulated comment streams!
Anyway, you got through to me, and I for one will comment more on those blogs and to people who need to know that someone is out there, seeing what they wrote and responding do it.
Perhaps more souls read this blog than you think. It is likely that few comment because few are able to articulately respond to lament. Since the Second Great Awakening, the American church has been primarily interested in adding souls to the tally of "visibly changed lives," and in the process has forgotten how to slow down and be the people of God in the midst of very real hardships. Thus, as the Church continues to ignore the world of suffering, the language of pain has fallen into disuse and fluency is in rapid decline. But still people hurt, and they need wise counsel about how to hurt. Since such valuable, wise counsel is unfortunately rare, your writings here are particularly significant-- not to mention profound.
I just took a circuitous route and clicked over from Challies to the interview re your new book to your blog then to this page. I'll be exploring for some time, by the look of things.
I understand what it is to be in daily, unrelenting pain. My suffering is mild compared to that of others... but it can be discouraging.
I wrote this and shared it with some friends today.
What I have discovered in my own life is that it isn't the huge trials that wear me down. The car accidents, the cancer diagnosis, the child-out-of-wedlock, the $7,000 repair bills, coming close to death in labour. Those big things are obviously out of my control, and what can I do but throw myself on the mercy of God? The Big Trials have been times when I have had a deepening of my relationship with Christ. I've learned confidence in Him, and I've experienced close fellowship with the God Who satisfies.
What is harder by for for me are the little trials, the everyday troubles that wear me down bit by bit. Difficulties with relationships, misunderstandings. Physical pain that never leaves. Worry about finances that seems to never end. Living in the same old house with the same old mice (or their grandchildren) gnawing in the same old walls. The little things - the little foxes - spoil the vines.
It's in the day to day little afflictions that I must learn to abide. That's where I can become impatient, angry, self-centered and whiny. That's where I need to renew my mind.
Rest in Christ in times of affliction, whether the trial is great or small. God will produce good things in your life, if you trust Him in this.
You'll bear more fruit. You'll desire to live more for His glory. You'll sympathize more with the misery of others. You'll yield yourself more to His will. You'll desire ONE THING: to make Him known to others. IN AFFLICTION, YOUR FIRST AND ONLY CALLING IS TO ABIDE IN CHRIST.
I follow your blog, Prof. Groothuis, and have been edified by it, as well as by the Constructive Curmudgeon blog. Sorry I don't usually comment though! But please know there are people's lives whom you do help with your words and experiences.
I hear you, and I share your view. You have prompted me to action. I do read everything you post. Sometimes I wish for something like a Facebook "like" button to show that I've read something and agree with it.
ReplyDeleteIt is lonely out there, even with Facebook friends and family. I post things in my life that are clearly triumphs for me, only to hear the crickets chirping. I post images to Flickr which at least shows view counts, but same thing, Some Flickr groups note that phenomenon and create groups with "Post one, comment three" rules. But then you start seeing photos with manipulated comment streams!
Anyway, you got through to me, and I for one will comment more on those blogs and to people who need to know that someone is out there, seeing what they wrote and responding do it.
Perhaps more souls read this blog than you think. It is likely that few comment because few are able to articulately respond to lament. Since the Second Great Awakening, the American church has been primarily interested in adding souls to the tally of "visibly changed lives," and in the process has forgotten how to slow down and be the people of God in the midst of very real hardships. Thus, as the Church continues to ignore the world of suffering, the language of pain has fallen into disuse and fluency is in rapid decline. But still people hurt, and they need wise counsel about how to hurt. Since such valuable, wise counsel is unfortunately rare, your writings here are particularly significant-- not to mention profound.
ReplyDeleteI just took a circuitous route and clicked over from Challies to the interview re your new book to your blog then to this page. I'll be exploring for some time, by the look of things.
ReplyDeleteI understand what it is to be in daily, unrelenting pain. My suffering is mild compared to that of others... but it can be discouraging.
I wrote this and shared it with some friends today.
What I have discovered in my own life is that it isn't the huge trials that wear me down. The car accidents, the cancer diagnosis, the child-out-of-wedlock, the $7,000 repair bills, coming close to death in labour. Those big things are obviously out of my control, and what can I do but throw myself on the mercy of God? The Big Trials have been times when I have had a deepening of my relationship with Christ. I've learned confidence in Him, and I've experienced close fellowship with the God Who satisfies.
What is harder by for for me are the little trials, the everyday troubles that wear me down bit by bit. Difficulties with relationships, misunderstandings. Physical pain that never leaves. Worry about finances that seems to never end. Living in the same old house with the same old mice (or their grandchildren) gnawing in the same old walls. The little things - the little foxes - spoil the vines.
It's in the day to day little afflictions that I must learn to abide. That's where I can become impatient, angry, self-centered and whiny. That's where I need to renew my mind.
Rest in Christ in times of affliction, whether the trial is great or small. God will produce good things in your life, if you trust Him in this.
You'll bear more fruit.
You'll desire to live more for His glory.
You'll sympathize more with the misery of others.
You'll yield yourself more to His will.
You'll desire ONE THING: to make Him known to others.
IN AFFLICTION, YOUR FIRST AND ONLY CALLING IS
TO ABIDE IN CHRIST.
I follow your blog, Prof. Groothuis, and have been edified by it, as well as by the Constructive Curmudgeon blog. Sorry I don't usually comment though! But please know there are people's lives whom you do help with your words and experiences.
ReplyDeleteI just found you, through Brian Auten's weekly 'bonus links'.\
ReplyDeleteThank-you for providing this; it is very timely and apt.