My apologies for any inconvenience: I am aware that some pages on ChronicallyHopeful.com have missing images, broken links or visible code since I recently installed a new theme. Thankfully, apart from lists, no blocks of text seem to be affected. I am doing my best to fix everything that got broken in the process. Thank you for your patience.
How Can I Be Physically Disabled And Not Depressed?
I’d like to speak about my own mental health. I feel like some people misunderstand my condition, so I wanted to address the matter directly. Yes, I have a severely debilitating illness. Yes, I practically live in bed. No, I cannot go out and I cannot have visitors coming over without paying for it, but I am okay. Seriously.
I do not suffer from depression or anxiety or feel upset, or anything like that, about being ill and housebound. But it’s come to my attention that many people around me seem to be more distraught over my condition than I am.
I actually live with an indescribable peace and inner joy which I cannot attribute to anything except God. Yes, when I’m in a lot of pain, I feel sorry for myself in it, I might even cry if it’s really bad or if I’m feeling particularly weak physically in a moment, but that was the case before my illness too.
When I was sick, it felt yuk, I’d cry myself to sleep and then wake up and get on with things. Life happens and that includes illness. Life goes on. It is what it is. This is my current season, and I’m okay, my life hasn’t ended, it’s still quite fulfilling, thank you.
I don’t mean any offense to those who struggle with mental health, I get it, I have experienced depression in the past, I understand, I’m just saying that currently that is not my burden.
So, please don’t feel sorry for me and treat me as if I’m the one feeling depressed and hopeless, I’m not, but maybe you think you would be in my position. Please don’t stress over my health – but guard your own. Please don’t tell me to “hang in there”, there’s absolutely no need for that. I don’t even know what to do with that.
Basically there is no need for holding on, because I’m held. Praise God!
Repost: This post was originally published on my Instagram on 15 February 2019
Pin This Post!
Acceptance, Perspective And Faith
Here are some more of my posts which might give more insight into my perspective:
- How I Feel About Using A Wheelchair In My 30s
- Living With Severe ME, Who Am I Now?
- Why Do I Use A Wheelchair If I Can Still Walk?
- How I Cope: Keeping An Eternal Perspective
- How To Stay Focused On The Good Stuff, A Practical Exercise
I love this, I too am not depressed but I definitely do feel sorry for myself and have a good cry wheb it’s really bad. Why wouldn’t I? Doesn’t mean I’m going to pieces though, it just means, I’m having a cry and then, by God’s grace, I’ll pick up the pieces and carry on!
Why, when the Bible is FULL of people who wailed, cried and even ‘despaired of life itself’, do we think we shouldn’t?! Bring on the wailing I say! Hahaha :))) x x
(Just don’t get stuck in it and remember who holds you!) X
Absolutely! Hehe… I love that last line you wrote. Its definitely important to not stay there and remember who’s holding us in the palm of his hand. Praise God for his peace!