Scriptures & Sites for Chronic Pain or Chronic Illness

Some of you know that I've lived with chronic pain (fibromyalgia & spinal degeneration) for many years.  Studies show that one-third to one-half of all Americans live with chronic pain or chronic illness.    So this is a widespread issue.   So here are some Scriptures for those with chronic pain or illness.  It is not a complete list; it's just an introduction to some of them.  My hope is that some of these Scriptures and/or sites will help you or someone you know.

2 Corinthians 5:1  “If the earthly tent we live in (our bodies), is destroyed, we have a  

    building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 –Paul’s thorn in the flesh, esp. v 9, “My grace is sufficient for you,

                 for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Job, esp. chapt. 1-2, 38:1-15, 42

Galatians 6:17  “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Matt. 11:28-30 –when you’re tired & worn out

I Peter 5:10  “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,

after you have suffered a little while,

will himself restore you and make you strong, firm & steadfast.”

Psalm 6: 2-4, 6-9

Psalm 22:1-2  -David felt abandoned by God.

        Vs. 24 “For he (God) has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one;      

                      he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.”

Psalm 69: esp 13-17

Psalm 103: 1-5

Psalm 119:50  “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”

Joseph in Gen. 37-50  -suffered unfairly, but responded in gracious ways

           50:20 to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…”

HOPE:

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

     plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,  

                        so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Hebrews 6:19  “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”

Isaiah 40:31 “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength;

                       they will soar on wings like eagles…”

ONLINE RESOURCES:

http://www.restministries.com -free chronic pain email devotionals & articles,

                                        Bible study materials, support groups called Hope Keepers

 http://www.joniandfriends.org/  -Joni Eareckson Tada, disability center, email devotionals

 http://www.theacpa.org/default.aspx  American Chronic Pain Assoc. - excellent & includes a few for family members.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/ -look up any chronic pain or illness by name

www.facebook.com/ have numerous groups for those w/ chronic pain or illness; just search for your illness.

http://www.meetup.com/North-Texas-Fibromyalgia-Support-Group  -mtgs in Dallas area.  If u go to http://www.meetup.com/, look up your kind of pain/illness & your city, u might find a meetup group near u.