Chronic illness affects everything, Christmas included.
- Join a support group, online if you can’t get out. There are few people who understand chronic illness like others who are chronically ill. Right now, one of my support groups is going through Advent Scriptures and symbols together—uplifting!!
- Focus on the hope of heaven and celebrate that. Even if you do not have a lot to “celebrate” in the midst of your pain, the hope of heaven is always worth celebrating. Christmas is celebrating Jesus coming to earth (in a lowly manger) to make a way for us to go to heaven.
- Remember that “joy” has little to do with “happiness.” http://www.gotquestions.org/joy-happiness.html
- Don’t feel guilty for what you can’t do. Maybe you can’t cook, decorate, buy, reach out, etc. like you used to. That doesn’t mean you don’t love your friends or family.
- Celebrate what you can do. Maybe it’s something as simple as encouraging a friend on Facebook.
Do you have any ideas for getting through Christmas while ill?
Christa Upton Black Hills Picture Books PO Box 293 Custer, SD 57730
