Coping With Arthritis
 
Incurable
In her forties, Sister Urania was diagnosed as being chronically ill with polyarthritis. Despite excellent medical care and much prayer, healing did not come. Yet the following 20 years of her life were a radiant testimony of God's sustaining grace. Towards the end, when her body was completely deformed, spine and neck bent over, hands and fingers crippled, feet twisted, incapable of standing, she remained a loving, caring personality. A warm smile would greet everyone entering her room. Though shut-in, she brought joy and blessing to others through her prayers and counselling, which continued almost to the end.

After her death, an American nurse who had looked after arthritic patients for many years described going to see Sister Urania for counselling at the Kanaan retreat centre. It was at an early stage of Sister Urania's illness, and they had not seen each other for some years.

 

Letter from America
'When she opened the door to her little room, I burst into tears and cried, "Oh, Sister Urania! Your arthritis is so much worse!" She reached out and took my hands in her small, gnarled and twisted hands and said, "But look at me! I can still walk! And this is not usually the case with arthritis.

So you see, you are never in the hands of disease. You are always in God's hands!"

Her statement made such an impact on me. I have shared it with many, many people.
One very dear woman completely incapacitated by arthritis was especially touched by the story of Sister Urania. She had me make a little sign with a pair of hands and the statement, "You are never in the hands of disease: you are always in God's hands" and hang it over her bed. Whenever someone would ask her about the sign, she would tell about Sister Urania and testify to the truth of this statement. Dear Sister Urania! She was a blessing to far more people than she could ever know …'

The Secret
What was Sister Urania's secret? — A deep trust in the love of God. Yet learning to discover the hidden blessings in her suffering didn't happen overnight: it was a process for Sister Urania. The story is told in Fragrance of a Life for God by M. Basilea Schlink.

If you are struggling with illness, you may find the following helpful...

Dialogue with God

You say: I can't go on.
He says: I have all the strength you need, the strength to bring you through.

You cry: Why do I have to suffer?
He says: Through suffering and illness I will draw those whom I love close to My heart and give them new life.

 

You complain: What did I do to deserve such suffering?
He says: Know yourself before it is too late: a weak and sinful human being. My disciplining you in love is an act of mercy.

You complain: No one really cares for me or loves me.
He says: Forget yourself and your needs. Show love and understanding to others, and you will see how much better off you are than they. You will see how much you are loved by Me.

You say: I'm afraid to die.
He says: Death has been conquered. Remember Jesus' last words on the cross: ‘It is finished!' The victory has been won. No one can tear you out of Jesus' hands.

You complain: I am so ill, completely helpless and dependent upon others.
He says: You are dependent only upon Me. I want to be everything for you. Believe Me — I can bring joy to your heart. I will send you people who will help you.

You say: I am sick with worry.
He says: Have you forgotten that I am here, close at your side? I care for those who cannot care for themselves. I care for the sick and miserable. I will also care for your family.

You say: I cannot pray. I cannot believe any more.
He says: Say the name of Jesus in your heart. Tell Jesus about everything you lack, every problem bothering you. Then you have already prayed and demonstrated your faith. And help will come.

 

You say: I can't work. I'm not contributing any more. I'm not achieving anything. 
He says: Now you will learn that bearing suffering in the right way accomplishes something great and of lasting value. By praying for family, friends, the world situation, you will have a greater impact on the lives of others than you could ever imagine.

You say: I will be overcome with depression.
He says: Not if you humble yourself beneath My hand, which is now heavy upon you. I always refresh and lift up the humble, who know they are sinners and look to Me for help.

You say: I feel so lonely.
He says: Rest quietly in My embrace and speak with Me. Listen to My voice. Now I will visit you, I who have always loved you and am now reaching out to you through your illness.

Adapted from Fragrance of a Life for God and The Blessings of Illness by M. Basilea Schlink.
The Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, Darmstadt, Germany
You may like to look up the Disability page in SOON Online Magazine

Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary,
P.O.B. 13 01 29, D-64241 Darmstadt, Germany
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