Learning the secret of being content

The world tells us that we can only be content when we are healthy, successful and rich. This is thankfully not what the Bible tells us, as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:12: ‘I have learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or […]

My Healing From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

During my illness when I heard of healings (especially from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which I had) it would either give me hope or demoralise me. I was often left with questions such as: why them and not me? Why do I still continue to face this daily physical and mental battle? God, why am I […]

Paul’s chains advance the gospel, do mine?

I have been really challenged by Philippians 1:12-14 where Paul talks about how being in prison has served to advance the gospel. This is through him: (1) having access to a different group of people such as his guards (v13); (2) other believers hearing about his ministry whilst in chains and being encouraged to speak the […]

‘Church at work’ includes you!

Have you ever heard someone talk about ‘church at work’? At my church there is a specific group that meets with this name for people to encourage each other as Christians in a work place. Now this is good, it is clearly important how Christians conduct themselves at work. However from my own experience; as […]

Difficulty and Discouraging Situations: The Little Picture

As a Christian how should we tackle difficult and discouraging situations? This is something my husband David and I have thought a lot about in the last few years. We think it is important to have the right perspective when looking at the big picture by focusing on God’s greatness and purposes without losing sight […]

Difficult and Discouraging Situations: the Big Picture

Difficulty and God’s re-direction/re-commissioning

Difficult times such as illness force some reflection on what is important in life and how to spend one’s energy, time and money. God can in fact use difficult times in our lives to recommission us or redirect us in the way he wants us to go. God has redirected me from work in International […]

Jesus Our Good Shepherd

Recently I have been thinking a lot about the references in the Bible to sheep; specifically Jesus being our good shepherd (as outlined in John 10:1-21) and what this means for those of us in tough circumstances. I find it pretty humbling to be compared by Jesus to a sheep (John 10:3); if you have […]

God’s gentle reminder of his providence on a bad day

I’m really tired today (when I wrote this a few weeks ago not when it was published) and also depressed. Not a great combination with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as they make each other worse… I find it really hard when I’m like this. Well meaning people remind me that this would have been a good […]

Identity with Chronic Illness

Something I have had to wrestle a lot with since becoming ill is my identity. I have loved God for many years but when I got ill an uncomfortable truth I had to confront was that my identity was closely linked to my academic/career success. I’m still very much on a journey with this and […]

Some Thoughts on Psalm 62

I have been looking at Psalm 62 and have been greatly encouraged by it because it shows how God is the best place to come to when life is tough. Below are some thoughts on a few verses from the psalm. Seek refuge and shelter in God: ‘Truly he is my rock and my salvation; […]

Repeat words of truth

I have challenged myself to say these verses to myself whenever I feel low during the day: ‘This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.’ Psalm 188:24 (ESV) ‘…the joy of the Lord is my strength.’ Nehemiah 8:10 I find these verses super challenging. The last […]

Ideas for how to be salt and light when really unwell

We are called to be Jesus to those around us, to love like he loves us, to fight injustices and bind up the broken hearted (for example see: Matthew 5:13-16, Mathew 25:35-36, Luke 4:18). But how do you do this when you are so ill you barely leave the house and when you have limited […]

A bad day… verses God encouraged me with

I have not felt at all well today. I have had some unexpected demands on my energy yesterday and woke up feeling dreadful and so unable to do my usual work or schedule. When my energy is bad I have a big battle in my head with depression especially when on my own for hours […]

What is the purpose of this blog?

Hi my name is Lucy, I’m a Christian. This blog is about purpose, identity and strategies for engaging with God when facing a difficult situation such as illness or bereavement. It is for those facing tough things but also for friends and family who are encouraging them in the Lord. I draw on my own […]