Encouraging a Friend with Chronic Illness

Life with a chronic illness can be hard and lonely. If you have a friend with a chronic illness, one thing you can do for her is encourage her on those hard and lonely days. Your words of encouragement, both spoken and written, will communicate to your friend that she has not been forgotten and that you see her pain. Your words can build her up and give grace (Ephesians 4:29). Your words may be just the encouragement she needs to persevere on the hard days.

Sharing Words of Encouragement

You can offer words of encouragement in many different ways. You can speak to your friend in-person or over the phone. You can give encouragement in a written form, such as a card, email, text message, or note on Facebook. Cards are a beautiful gift that can be kept, held, and read again and again. Text messages have the benefit of arriving instantly. If you know your friend is having a hard day, you can send a text to give some instant cheer. If she is undergoing a difficult medical test or procedure that day, you can send a text to let her know that you are thinking of her and praying for her at that very moment. However you choose to communicate with your friend, it will be appreciated!

Maybe you struggle to know what to say to a friend. Her particular illness or suffering may be something you have never experienced, and you might feel ill-equipped to offer encouragement in such a situation. Here are some things you can communicate to your friend, either verbally or in writing, that will be encouraging to her: 

• Let her know that you are thinking of her.
• Tell her that you are praying for her. You can also share the specifics of what you are praying for her.
• Share ways that you have been encouraged by her.
• Share something you have learned from her, either by her words or her example.
• Write out a favorite Scripture verse.
• Share a poem or song lyrics.
• Tell her something that happened that made you think of her.
• Share about what God has been teaching you through His Word.

Giving a Gift

One other way to encourage a friend with a chronic illness is to give a gift. Whether the gift is small or large, it will be a tangible reminder that someone cares and is thinking of her. This is especially appreciated on the hard days, homebound days, or days spent in a hospital. When your friend is alone and struggling, holding, seeing, or using a gift from you will encourage her. Some specific gift ideas are:

• Flowers
• Music
• Beside Bethesda or any other book you think she will enjoy
• New pajamas
• A comfortable t-shirt
• A cozy blanket
• Netflix subscription
• A movie or a movie night gift basket
• Craft supplies
• A box of sunshine
• Lotion
• A Journal

I have received gifts from friends over the years, and those gifts have always been so special and appreciated. I haven't blogged about most of the gifts, but here are two times when I did blog about gifts I received. These might provide further ideas for how to encourage a friend through your words and/or gifts.

• Encouragement when I Needed it Most 
• A Thanksgiving Gift

Let's hear from you!

What other ideas do you have for specific ways to encourage someone with a chronic illness? You are welcome to share your ideas with us in the comments! We can learn from each other so that we can better encourage those in our lives.

“Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

This post is part of the Chronic Illness and Friendship series.