Some of the stages people go through when adjusting to their illness:
- Shock and denial come first … maybe even anger .. “Not me! You must be mistaken! I don’t want to be in this situation.”
- Fear and doubt … “I wonder if this is really worse than they are telling me? What if it gets wors? What is the bill going to cost me?”
- “Crazy” feelings arrive …thoughts which create or reveal instability and disturbed tranquility and conflicting emotions, can’t find peace of mind. “Why do I feel this way? Why can’t I just put this out of my mind?”
- Anger at something or someone … often directed at the once you love the most.
- Bargaining … “I’ve got it, but I’ll be a better person Lord if….”
- Depression … “Just leave me alone. I hate the hospital smell, the food, they are always talking so low I can’t hear … I know they are talking about me.”
- With love and compassion, acceptance comes and strength to deal with it.
What to pray for when faced with serious illness:
Some people find help in praying for these things …
- Peace of mind
- Adjustment
- Abscence of pain or the strength to endure the discomfort
- Removal of fear
- Love from loved ones
- Assurance that I will not be deserted by those I love
- Be able to enjoy what health there is to enjoy
- Feel closeness to GOD
- Time to study the Bible, and find passages that will help me cope with this illness