Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia: Living Fully When the Pain Doesn’t Go Away

Living Fully When the Pain Doesn’t Go Away

Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia: Living Fully When the Pain Doesn’t Go Away

It is one of those days, where fear tries to grab my heart and shake loose my confidence.
This year brought the news of us being effectively priced out of our previous insurance.

The reality of that came into full view today.

I have Fibromyalgia. And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Surprised? Lots of people are. That is because I found a medicine that works fairly well.

However, I won’t be taking it any longer; the cost is supreme and would come at great cost to my family at large.

Why am I sharing this with you?

Because I want to keep it real here. We all have choices to make, don’t we?

How long can you live with chronic pain?

As long as it takes. ♥

My choice this week scares me. I know what it is to live without meds.

Is fibromyalgia something to fear?

Physically. It is a life stealer. A joy sucker. A crippling reality that tried to destroy me.

“Sometimes I think I shouldn’t feel the way I do. When I start thinking this way I tell myself that feelings are neither good nor bad—they simply are. In the midst of intense negative feelings, whether fear, anger, depression, etc., it can feel as though they will last forever, like they will never end. It promotes emotional balance to maintain an awareness that all feelings are temporary, and that they always change.”
—From Pain Recovery: How to Find Balance and Reduce Suffering from Chronic Pain

What fibromyalgia feels like

Imagine the sensation of having the body flu every day.
Then, someone beats you with a baseball bat. Everywhere.
Then, trying to crawl your way through quicksand.

Not just physically, but mentally as you stare at people you know well, temporarily wondering what their names are.

Now imagine that can be your life, every day. Every minute.
Unpredictable. Lasting from three weeks to six months.
Or maybe just two hours. That is living with fibromyalgia.

It can be depressing. It can feel isolating. Desolating.

I don’t want to fight depression. Or more pain.

I have a life to live, people to love, a purpose to fulfill.
I don’t want to be slowed down. But there is more to this story.

Galatians 6:9 promises:

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Don’t give up. I know you face hard days too.

Depression is a thief, and you are worth fighting for. So is your joy.

Can people with chronic pain be happy?

Biblical joy is so much more than a happy “feeling”.

It is a solid base, a connection with God that reminds us that He is greater than anything we face.

We don’t walk alone.
When I struggle to keep above water, mentally, I think of Jesus—who was well acquainted with far greater suffering than I’ll ever know.

And He tells us this:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
—Matthew 11:28-30

I will keep learning those unforced rhythms of grace.

This will not defeat me, no way.
Regardless of this part of my life, I am incredibly fortunate.
This will not defeat me.

Living with chronic illness and hope

There are blessings in the sufferings.
A decade ago I couldn’t have imagined that to be true… but it is.

Be open to learning how your personal challenges can help someone else. Turn it around. It’s wonderful therapy.

I can face every single day and think of countless ways I am fortunate.

Will you try and join me in that?

The truth I know is this:
when the fight is let go of, true rest arrives.

That rest is where our respite lies.
That respite = life recovered.

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Encouraging For Chronic Illness

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