Chronic Illness and Disability: God's Peace in the Midst of Pain

By June Hunt

Why is this happening to me? You feel overlooked, deprived, even resentful—these are the side effects of chronic illness your doctor failed to mention. Although you try to see the bright side, your outlook is often overcast by the chronic nature of your condition. While others appear to enjoy good health, you struggle for sensible answers. Like any loss, the loss of health—must be grieved. Pulling from her experience as a caregiver and counselor, June Hunt compassionately takes you through the grieving process, showing you where to find comfort and answers in the Word of God. Enjoy getting biblical insight and practical advice from someone who "gets it."

Have you asked...

• Why is this happening to me?
• Is God punishing me? Has my sin brought on this condition?
• If I have enough faith, will God heal me?
• How can my life have purpose now?

Covering everything from anger and fear to loneliness and hopelessness, June Hunt begins the book with a "definition and characteristic" section which addresses the common feelings felt by those with a chronic illness or impairment.

Whether you are personally facing a chronic illness or you know someone who is, enjoy getting biblical encouragement.

Common Questions Asked by Those with a Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain

You have questions—and no one seems to have the answers. Some accuse you of having some secret "un-confessed sin;" while others say you just need more faith. Enjoy getting easy-to-understand answers that are rooted in the Word of God and practical in their application. Using a question and answer format, June Hunt answers:

• Why did this happen to me? Why would a loving God want me to suffer?
• Is it okay to pray for miraculous healing?
• What's the difference between progressive healing and miraculous healing?
• Could an illness be caused by spiritual warfare? Could it be a result of sin? (And more!)

Perfect for small group & Bible studies, Sunday school, chaplaincy, Christian counseling, church giveaways, and much more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Release date: Feb 18, 2015
• ISBN: 9781628621471

June Hunt

June Hunt is the founder of Hope for the Heart, a worldwide biblical counseling ministry that provides numerous resources for people seeking help. She hosts a live, two-hour call-in counseling program called Hope in the Night, and is the author of Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook and How to Handle Your Emotions.

Book preview

CHRONIC ILLNESS & DISABILITY

God’s Peace in the Midst of Pain

She is 17 years old and set to take on the world. She has everything in her favor: She’s outgoing and athletic with a boyfriend by her side. She’s a tennis player and a swimmer. Her physical agility and prowess tag this teen as a true athlete. But that will all change one hot July afternoon when she swims about in cool waters ... for the last time.

A self-described risk-taker, Joni positions herself for a refreshing dive. She jumps ... and in an instant her body is rocked from head to toe. She had anticipated slicing and gliding through the water like so many times before, but now it’s like she’s collided with a brick wall at the bottom of the bay. Joni finds herself flooded with fear and confusion, now realizing the waters surrounding her were dangerously shallow for her routine dive. Her mind races: How could she have miscalculated? Why is she motionless ... and still underwater? As Lamentations 3:54 says, the waters closed over my head, and I thought I was about to perish.

Jagged line

DEFINITIONS

Suddenly she hears a voice, Joni, are you looking for shells?¹

What relief—someone has come to her rescue! It’s her sister, Kathy. Joni desperately wants to answer—no, she isn’t looking for shells—but she can’t lift her head out of the water! Instead, she knows she’s breathing her final breaths—the blue waters around her beginning to fade to black.

Sensing something is terribly wrong, Kathy wraps her arms around Joni’s shoulders and pulls, then vigorously tugs while a scream of desperation reverberates across Joni’s mind—Oh please, dear God. Don’t let me die!²

Joni’s cry echoes that of the psalmist