As a chronically ill woman, I know too well the false guilt we all feel when we can't get enough energy up to do what we long to do. We know what we should be doing, and we want to but our bodies are tired and hurting. Although God reminds us and shows us what direction we should be taking, He does understand that our bodies are but dust and has compassion on us. The false guilt comes from the Evil One. Listening to him brings on depression and compounds our problems...
Likewise, we often get in a spin trying to work out how to serve the LORD and we feel that we come way short of the mark during times of illness. We often miss the fact that we are serving Him in our homes and in our family life in spite of not spinning our wheel as fast as we would like. Service starts with a heart choice and doesn't depend on perfection. We can serve God even as we battle illness or fatigue. It's not about how fast we spin our wheel, but if we want to and then try to! And as FlyLady says, "Housework done imperfectly still blesses your family!"
Because I battle with illness constantly and walk that weary path every day, I see that you can have a servant's heart but can still bear an extra load in false guilt. For those of you who do, I pray that you can talk kindly to yourself and learn to have more compassion on yourself- the road is not easy and you will find many others who have fallen along the way, giving up the battle and feeling overwhelmed. I do not believe the LORD wants that for us...
I highly recommend Sylvia of Christian Homekeeper's lists on homemaking for the chronically ill woman. I follow that closely (adapted for my own home) and it helps me no end.... Physically and emotionally. Through following Sylvia's lists, I can usually lay down the burden of false guilt and still have a reasonably clean and tidy home.
May God bless you as you purposely and diligently serve Him in your home, in spite of your pain.
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. Isaiah 46:4
What a *lovely* and encouraging reminder and the link is wonderful! (o:
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this. I too suffer from chronic illness. I have fibromyagia and RA...and some mornings I just don't want to face the day. I do have guilt and need to give it over to God
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post (here via Whatsoever Things).
ReplyDeleteWe just recently got a diagnosis for my health problems and have great hope that I will continue to heal. But I well know the false guilt of not being able to keep up with even the simple stuff of homemaking... Good thoughts! :)
Thank you for this post. I'm going to read it now. I suffer with pain with my back and scoliosis and often feel so bad when I need to spend time resting and not getting everything done. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. I am chronically ill and have recovered from cancer. I love housework. It is a joy. However, I am not always physically able to do the work. On days I can clean, I work very hard and quickly. I enjoy these days the most! However, on the bad days, I have to depend on my children to clean and keep house. They don't love it like I do, so they can depress me at times with their lack of follow-through. But I have learned to 'close my eyes' to this and just use the time to study spiritual books, rest and recover. Then, when I am well again, I can look forward to 'plenty" of housework - both catching up from what the children didn't do, to my regular duties!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Mrs. White
Came over via Mrs Michele's link and appreciated your thoughts :o)
ReplyDeleteI am here from "Whatsoever things are Lovely"...and your timing is perfect..I am really struggling with ...and feeling all washed up in so many areas of my Christian walk...I have fibromyalgia...chronic fatigue...and the list is growing and I HATE it...and fight it...
ReplyDeleteso thank you for this..
I will now go read your link...
Deby
Washington STate
Dear Friends,
ReplyDeleteThank you for calling by and leaving a comment. It seems that there are a lot of us feeling discouraged by illness. I have written a few articles to encourage you...I will post another one tonight!
Blessings!
We should all pray to learn to recognize every false thought or feeling from the enemy. There are so many to catch sometimes it keep us from healing.
ReplyDeleteThe enemy of our souls delights in kicking us when we are already down. The best way he can get the first kick in is to make us feel guilty for being ill. We must watch our thought life for this very reason. Thanks for sharing a cuppa with me today, Rebecca.
DeleteThanks so much for linking up at the #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 1! Pinned ♥
ReplyDeleteDee, thanks for sharing a cuppa with me today. Blessings, Glenys
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