Product Description

"No one gets it!" we all exclaim at one time or another when we live with chronic illness. But if you feel this way on a regular basis you may be in trouble!

Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness gives you unique insight into why you crave the understanding of those around you when you are suffering with a chronic illness and helps you get past the frustrations you feel when people say things like, "no pain, no gain!" or "if you'd just get out of the house more you'd feel much better."

No matter how much we love our friends and family, we can become "sick and tired" of hearing about how we are causing ourselves to be "sick and tired."

Even when you've come to terms with your illness and all the emotions involved one comment or look can send us reeling back to when we were first diagnosed and dealing with all the well-meaning advice and skepticism.

Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness will help you work through this and more, such as. . .

* What happens to your spiritual life when you feel alone and misunderstood in your pain?

* How does your attitude affect if you get the understanding you seek or not?

* How should you pray for others to understand and change their attitude about your illness?

* Why do some prayers get answered but with poor results?

* How should you respond when people say hurtful things about your chronic illness?

* What Biblical responsibilities are you exempt from?

* Is it okay to get mad at God about it all and express your true feelings about your illness and the pain others are causing?

* How can your relationship with Christ help all of the above become less important?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #836920 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07-01
• Released on: 2004-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 140 pages

Review
"It gave new insight into some of my emotions and frustration in my fibromyaliga struggle, especially with my extended family." -- Kathryn D.

I just finished reading Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why. It gave me new insight into some of my own emotions and frustration in my 4-year struggle with fibromyalgia, especially with my extended family members. It addresses many of the emotions that people with a chronic (and sometimes invisible) illness face and shows how to reflect on God's perfect Will for our lives through His Word (the Bible); how to be a blessing to others through the pain; and because of the pain, we are in a unique position to bless and encourage others to turn to Jesus for their comfort in their times of trial.I highly recommend it. ~Kathryn D.

My daughter loved the book Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why. It helped her a lot but it helped me--as her mother--just as much. A lot of the things in the book, she wanted me to know but had difficulty telling me herself. Thank you so much for enlightening me, and for giving me ways to help my daughter in her struggle. ~Karen

Your website and ministry are such a blessing! I received my order and my husband is reading the book Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why and it has really helped him so much. I can see the Lord working in his spirit and helping him with all of the conflicting emotions that he has inside. I know it is such a struggle for him but I think just knowing that he isn't alone in this is such a help and a comfort! Thank you again for all that you do! --~Carrie

My daughter loved the book Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why. It helped her a lot but it helped me--as her mother--just as much. A lot of the things in the book, she wanted me to know but had difficulty telling me herself. Thank you so much for enlightening me, and for giving me ways to help my daughter in her struggle. --~Karen

Your website and ministry are such a blessing! I received my order and my husband is reading the book Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why and it has really helped him so much. I can see the Lord working in his spirit and helping him with all of the conflicting emotions that he has inside. I know it is such a struggle for him but I think just knowing that he isn't alone in this is such a help and a comfort! Thank you again for all that you do! --~Carrie

About the Author
Lisa Copen is the founder and director of Rest Ministries, a Christian organization that serves millions of people who live with chronic illness. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1993, and later with fibromyalgia, she has found God's purpose in reaching out to others who live with daily pain.

Lisa has authored various books for people who live with chronic illness, including "Mosaic Moments: Devotionals for the Chronically Ill" and "A Woman's Health Resource Journal." She lives in San Diego, CA with her husband and son.

She is the founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week held annually in September featuring a virtual conference.

Customer Reviews

why can't I make people understand
If you have a chronic illness you will feel like you aren't so alone with this feeling when you read Lisa's book. It is a frustrating part of chronic illness Lisa gives some practical advice on how to deal with this problem. It doesn't make it totally go away but it gives you something to work with. I give away alot of books when I am done with them but this one I have kept and reread it periodically so I can cope better. Another good book on this subject I've gotten recently is called," Just Fine: Unmasking chronic concealed chronic illness and pain" by Carol Sveilich,MA. It's all different chronic illnesses with suggestions and people's story with photos of them. Lisa Copen is a person who has chronic illness so she knows where we are coming from.

Did not meet expectations
I had really high hopes for this book, based on the other reviews I read. However, I was very disappointed with the content overall. This book is not a comfort for those with ICI, it is more of a "stop whining and get going" handbook. And while I can appreciate the author's intent, the language of the book felt harsh and inflexible. For me, the book Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired: Living with Invisible Chronic Illness, by Paul J. Donoghue and Mary Elizabeth Siegel, was more helpful.

A Must Read for those with chronic illness and pain
This book is so comforting and educational. I've had it for years and just recently had the NEED to read it to learn to help myself with the rejection and sadness I've been feeling. Lisa Copen herself has chronic illnesses and pain and you can tell immediately that she is coming from a place of living with and through it. As I read I'm highlighting the parts that I believe today I will need to reread, maybe several times, to really learn that I can only change myself and how I view things. How nice to know that there is something we can do!
If you are a Christian living with chronic illness or know someone who is, this book is worth every penny (it's priceless really).