Hope in the Midst of a Health Crisis
Kelly is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, ministry leader, and author, but first and foremost a disciple of Jesus Christ. She founded Living Perfectly Loved Ministries out of God delivering her from the pain of fear and anxiety and giving her peace, healing, and freedom that is found in knowing and relying on God’s unfailing, perfect love.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).
Has your diagnosis left you perplexed and your prognosis doubting God’s goodness? Have you been questioning God’s plans for your life in light of your present circumstances? The truth is, while life can certainly throw us some massive curveballs, if you are still alive and breathing, your story is not over yet. God has good plans for your future. His plans are to prosper you, and not to harm you.
As a young, twenty-something, I had so much to look forward to. I was a newlywed and just getting started in what looked to be a promising teaching career. Then . . . the unexpected happened. I was diagnosed with a chronic inflammatory condition called Interstitial Cystitis. At age twenty-four, to hear that you have an incurable condition—it’s both devastating and terrifying. My prognosis crushed me, and I wondered—God, how can this be a part of your plans to prosper me and not harm me? Your plans to give me hope and a future?
The truth was, God did still have good plans for my future. I just had trouble seeing it clearly then. Years later, I can attest to that. Chronic pain has taught me so much about God’s unfailing love and mercy. It has helped me grow in grace and compassion for others. While the diagnosis wasn’t at all what I had hoped for, it has helped me grow exponentially in my relationship with the Lord!
The good news for you too is, a disheartening diagnosis, or prognosis, doesn’t have to have the final say in your life. You can choose to let God’s Word have the final say, instead:
When the test results come back positive, God Word says, “The Lord himself goes before you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV).
When your prognosis looks grim, God’s Word says, “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalms 91:16, NIV).
When the pain rages on, and your healing doesn’t come, God’s Word says, “Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering . . . and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5, NIV).
In the midst of all that is threatening your health and peace, God is working out His plan. Your life may not look anything like what you thought it was going to right about now, but God has not abandoned you. He is very much with you and for you! He sees the big picture, and He is working all things together for your good and His glory.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the good plans you have for me. In you, there is always a future and hope for me—even in the midst of painful circumstances. I look forward now to seeing how you will use this trial to bless me and bless others through me. I will choose to praise your name in the midst of pain and find peace in your presence! In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
