When I Just Want to Say No

Chronic illness can be a drag. It goes on and on, and there is no end in sight. But then the flares come, and I may wish there were an end. Sometimes, I just want to curl up in a ball and hide from the world. But I can’t. So how should I respond when I just want to say no?

Remember God Is Faithful

While my circumstances seem like they will never change, I don’t know that for sure. But I do know that my God will never change. He is faithful (Num. 23:19; Isa. 40:28; Heb. 10:23). He never changes (Ps. 102:26–27; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8). He will always do what He says He will do. I can depend on Him. I can trust Him.

Remember God Is Sovereign

My health and life may often seem out of control—mostly because I am trying to be the one in control. But they never truly are out of control because God is always in control. He is sovereign (Isa. 46:8–11, 55:8; Dan. 4:34–35). He created this world with an ultimate plan: to showcase His glory through the sacrifice of His Son and the redemption of His people (Gen. 1, 3 with Rev. 21–22). My life is just one thread in the overall tapestry of the story He is weaving.

Remember This Life Is Not All There Is

One day, the pain will be gone. One day, the chronic illnesses will be no more. For those who are in Christ, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things [will] have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). Can you imagine? I can’t. I can’t imagine a life without something wrong with my body. I can’t fathom what heaven will be like to have no pain, no sickness, no suffering of any kind. And the best part of all, to be with my God.

Until then, God has promised to be with me (Isa. 41:10; Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5) and to give me grace and comfort to do what He has asked me to do (Ps. 23:4, 46:1; Lam. 3:32; 2 Cor. 1:3–5).

Hang in there, friends. And remember your God.