Kate Bowler has written a psalm to human finitude. Her recent release, No Cure for Being Human (and Other Truths I Need to Hear) functions as a companion to her bestselling memoir, Everything Happens for a Reason (and Other Lies I’ve Loved). Bowler, an associate professor of the History of Christianity in North America at… Read More
Faith and Illness: Theodicy and PTSD
There is no safe space in the world. Not your neighborhood. Not your home. Neither the middle of the forest nor the middle of the city. Not your favorite vacation spot. Not your beloved church. No place — familiar or foreign — is absolutely guaranteed to be safe. (There aren’t really safe people either. “For… Read More
Faith and Illness: A Solid Rock in Desert Days
As I reflect on faith and illness, I recall the words of an old hymn, “My anchor holds and grips the solid rock.” Remembering the hymn’s message gives me hope in myself and in my faith. Still, these are empty days for me, and I ask myself these questions: What is it about faith that… Read More
Faith and Illness: The Wrath of Endometriosis
As I sat at the desk in my church office this week, I began to feel the too-familiar pain of the past thirty years. My pelvic region felt as if there was a fire-breathing dragon residing within it. While finishing the work, my mind began to wonder if my endometriosis was coming back… Endometriosis is… Read More
Faith and Illness: Living with IBS and Hyper-mobile Joint Syndrome
The first time I realised my digestive system worked differently to others I was probably in my teens. I had grown up expecting that every so often things would either stop or go into overdrive, to me this was just normal. Fast forward to my early 20s, expecting my first child – and suddenly it… Read More
Faith and Illness: Living with Celiac
“Oh, you’re one of those gluten free people.” “I’ll have EXTRA gluten on mine.” “You mean you can’t eat any pie? I only put a little bit of flour in there!” I cringe every time I hear myself ask if something is gluten free. I never wanted to be one of THOSE people. But in… Read More
Faith and Illness: Sabbath, being still, and chronic illness
I write this from my bed, recovering from my second surgery in a year for endometriosis. I function pretty well most of the time, save for the week or 10-12 days per month that I am in crippling pain. Endometriosis is a nasty disease in which uterine tissue grows outside the uterus and attaches itself to… Read More
Faith and Illness: Passing Through the Waters
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2-3a These verses… Read More
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