Chronic illness and pain are, well, pains to live with.  There are times when we’re angry, snappish, out of sorts. Sometimes, even if we’re at a happy celebration, our conditions can get in the way of feeling completely integrated into the occasion.

And, sometimes, in our discomfort, disappointment, pain and angst, we hurt others.

It’s a hard truth, but not an unknown one, or even an uncommon one. Each of us struggles with it at times. Simply because we suffer does not give us license to vent, lash out, or rain on other people and others’ celebrations or good moods.  And no amount of our complaining will force others to understand, empathize, sympathize with us, or want to spend more time with us instead of not.

So…each of us has to keep that good ol’ sense of contrition alive and well. Yup. The “s” word, meaning “sorry,” needs to be part of our vocabulary along with all the other words we use to describe our state of being, health, and life in general. Otherwise, we’ll fester with anger, resentment and jealousy that builds and builds, stifling our ability to live more fully and invite good relationships and love into our circle.

The blessed thing about being a person of faith as well as someone who has chronic health conditions, is that God loves us unconditionally. When we err, and err we do, He is ready with his forgiveness and love. The more willing we are to extend our “I’m sorry” to others when we need to, the more we’ll feel our loved ones’ care and support, too.

“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…”

Yes, sometimes, we need to forgive, but sometimes we need to be forgiven. After all, we who live with chronic illness and pain aren’t saints…but we’re trying to be!

Blessings for the day,

Maureen