How to Be Encouraged When You Are Discouraged by Fatigue in Chronic Illness

It is no secret that invisible disabilities and chronic illnesses are on the rise. The crippling effects of fear, fatigue, and frustration that accompanies many of these diseases can easily have believers discouraged. In this post, I will share the cause and cure for discouragement: Jesus Christ.

Scripture Reference: Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ²After fasting forty days and forty nights,he was hungry. ³The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶“If you are the Son of God,”he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

⁷Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰Jesus said to him,“Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

¹¹Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Discouragement, Fatigue, and Chronic Illness

The term discouragement is defined as an absence of courage, hope resulting in a loss of confidence or enthusiasm, dispiritedness. Satan’s primary tool for derailing a Christian’s faith is by magnifying any and every thing that will lead to discouragement.

Living with a chronic illness or an invisible disability can make us more susceptible to discouragement due to fatigue, leading to frustration and fear of the unknown of the disability and disease progression.

Fatigue

The fatigue noted in chronic illness is a beast in and of its own. The intricacies and nuances of fatigue are not fully understood by many. The consensus on fatigue is that it can impact your body in two ways:

1. Physical fatigue- physical fatigue is often seen when a person is not physically able to do a task, such as walk up a flight of stairs or walk for an extended period.
2. Mental fatigue- mental fatigue impacts a person’s emotional well-being, in which they may find it harder to concentrate, stay focused, or even impact their mood.

The physical and emotional exhaustion can lead to discouragement, making believers more vulnerable to succumb to the devastation of discouragement.

In Matthew 4:1-11, we see firsthand how Satan tested Jesus during his 40 day fast.

• Satan preyed on Jesus’ fatigue and hunger during this fast.
  • Despite being God in the flesh, Jesus was not exempt from the attacks of Satan.
• Satan used scripture references as a means of deception
  • In verse 5, Satan quotes Psalm 91:11,12,
• Jesus responds to the attacks by recognizing what Satan was attempting to do by:
  • Reciting scripture in its appropriate context and;
  • Rebuking Satan’s attempts forcefully, “Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

The Point

The cure for discouragement caused by the debilitating effects of fatigue in chronic illness are:

•  Faith- Jesus demonstrated his faith in God by testing the evil Spirit before him.
  • With the use of scripture that anchored his heart, his soul, and his mind
  • He recognizes that no other God is greater than God the Father.
• Assistance from other believers.
  • Matthew 4:11 “Then the devil left him,and angels came and attended him.” 
  • Jesus’ efforts in rebuking Satan made him dig deep and fight past the debilitating and devastating effects of fatigue.
  • He then allowed angels to come and attend to him.

We should see this and be encouraged, knowing that our Savior lives and modeled this example for us to follow.

How to be Encouraged when you are Discouraged by Fatigue in Chronic Illness

We, as believers, and those who suffer from chronic illness, must turn to the example set forth by our Savior. Jesus, God in the flesh, understood the struggles of humanity to death.

We must understand there are hills and valleys in this life. Do not settle in the valley; go through the valley. Psalm 23 reminds us how to conquer fear and discouragement

Psalm 23

¹The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

²He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

³he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

⁴Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

⁵You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

⁶Surely your goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Do not rest through the valley of the shadows of the valley of death. Fatigue in chronic illness can often lead us to remain and rest in this place of despair and discouragement. Trust God through your trials, and know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and light.

Be Blessed Friends,

More Info

I hope Natalie Carter has inspired you as you live with your fatigue. See some of my ideas below on these subjects.

For more helps, see the page Practical Ideas.

Find more info about Jesus here.