Theme: MANAGING CHRONIC ILLNESSES
Text: “Surely he shall not be moved for ever … He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.” – Psalm 112:6, 7
Comment: A diagnosis of a terminal disease could let loose a range of unexpected emotions. These include uncertainty and fear for the future, changes in personal and family relationships or a sense of isolation. The person feels the world he knows has been turned upside down. The person may start asking questions like: What is going to happen to me and my family now? How will I continue to work and earn money? Am I going to die? Who will look after my family if anything happens to me? How will my partner, family and friends react to my diagnosis? Even after treatment will I live the way I am used to? We should not give in to panic or despair but to turn to God in prayer while continuing with further tests, searching for further medical opinion and treatment. When Hezekiah the king of Judah was told by God that he would die, he poured out his heart to God in prayer and was healed, going on to live for 15 more years. We should bear in mind St. Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 10:13, to wit: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13.