For all who know well the feelings of solitude and isolation, misunderstanding and loneliness that come from living with an “invisible” illness of any kind, I offer you solace, I hope, in hosting the following video which portrays the hidden sufferings of so many. Though it is not specifically about Lyme disease, it may as well be for all its similarities to the illnesses featured.
As far as these illnesses are alike to what Lyme sufferers may experience, for my part I can attest, it is understandable that such disease can be, as the video states, experienced as "soul-destroying and demoralizing" in the absence of a deep sense of communion with Christ. Yet amidst our many and varied sufferings, hope and joy may be found in the remembrance of His presence therein and in the knowledge that what we suffer in union with Christ is purifying and restorative to the soul, not destructive.
We may recall that St. Paul tells us, "we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh." (2 Corinthians 4:7-11)
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