Just One Thing I Could Not Do Without

Today is the last day of Invisible Illness Week. A big thanks to all of you who have come here to learn more about what life is like for those of us who have an invisible illness. I am grateful for the opportunity to help spread awareness, and I am grateful to you for reading and joining me in this space.

I have written a few "Just One" blog posts, but I have saved the most important one for today. If you only read one "Just One" post, please read this one! And if you have any questions, know that I am just an email away. You can reach me at RachelLundy(at)cranberryteatime(dot)com.

One thing I could not do without in the midst of life with a chronic illness isn’t really a thing; it is a Person, Jesus Christ. He is the reason that I have hope every single day in the midst of illness. It is through knowing Jesus and studying the Bible that I am able to make sense of the suffering that I face and the suffering that I see in the world.

Life is hard. We live in a world that is under a curse because of sin. There are devastating earthquakes, tornados, and hurricanes. There is chronic illness, disease, and death. There is hate, murder, and abuse. There is bitterness and anger, envy and strife. There is deeply rooted sin in every heart. This world is full of pain and suffering.

The world wasn’t always this way. God created a perfect world. Sin came into the world when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and eat fruit from the one tree in the garden that was forbidden. When sin entered the world, death and sickness and suffering came with it. Sin is the reason for the suffering and pain in the world today. Because of our sin, we have earned death. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death…”

But God, in His mercy, did not leave us to suffer alone and to die without hope. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be the Savior. Jesus lived in this same sin-cursed world that we live in. He is intimately acquainted with grief and sorrow. He isn’t a Savior who is distant from our suffering. He is a Savior who entered into suffering willingly on our behalf. He came and suffered with us and for us.

Jesus knows our struggles. He knows our pain. He knows the temptations that we face. He faced them too. The difference is that Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). He is perfect, holy, and blameless. Because He is perfect and holy He was a suitable sacrifice for us. Jesus died on the cross and took the punishment that we deserve. He suffered the wrath of God in our place.

Three days after dying on the cross for our sins, Jesus rose from the dead! The Son of God conquered death and came back to life. Because of His sacrifice we can have forgiveness of sins and the sure hope of eternal life in Heaven. God made the ultimate sacrifice when He sent His Son to die on the cross. Jesus died a horrible death, and God used it for great good - the salvation of all who believe!

“For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). It is only through faith in Jesus and His work on the cross that we can find salvation from sin. Through knowing Jesus we can have hope in the midst of suffering now, and we can be assured that one day He will take us to Heaven and “will wipe away every tear…”

Because I know Jesus as my Savior, I have peace and hope in the midst of suffering today. I can trust the One who loves me so much that He suffered on my behalf. It is because of Jesus that I have hope and joy in the midst of the momentary troubles of chronic illness. It is because of Him that I have an eternity to look forward to in a resurrected body on the New Earth.

There are many things that help make my life with a chronic illness easier, but there is just one thing I could not do without. I could not do without Jesus.

Man of Sorrows

"Man of Sorrows," what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! What a Savior! 

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! What a Savior! 

Guilty, vile, and helpless, we.
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full redemption - can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior! 

Lifted up was He to die,
"It is finished!" was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high;
Hallelujah! What a Savior! 

When He comes, our glorious King,
To His kingdom us to bring,
Then anew this song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior! 

Philip P. Bliss, 1875