{"id":1329,"date":"2014-08-30T01:10:19","date_gmt":"2014-08-30T01:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=1329"},"modified":"2014-08-03T20:18:16","modified_gmt":"2014-08-03T20:18:16","slug":"chronic-pain-lost-and-found","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2014\/08\/chronic-pain-lost-and-found.html","title":{"rendered":"Chronic Pain: Lost and Found"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Maureen<\/a>Somewhere, amid the pain and the frustration we feel over lost health and today’s health trials, there are bright, uplifting memories we’ve lost track of, times when life was easier or days when we heard and enjoyed laughter, did good things and had good times. There are people and places that brought us peace, and accomplishments however small that gave us a sense of control, gratitude, and purpose.<\/p>\n

As “lost” as these things seem, in the midst of all the other problems, they are not altogether gone. No, they are there in a kind of scrapbook in your heart and mind, and in mine, too. And they serve a \u00a0purpose, especially on bad days, the very bad days.<\/p>\n

We can open our eyes and remember these times and people and blessings, and have faith that, if they happened once, if they came into our life once, they can do so again. If God moved a mountain in our lives once, He can do so again. If we felt uplifted, comforted, calmed, joy-filled, we can do so, again.<\/p>\n

These memories, positive memories, are not meant to be forever lost. They are meant to stay, forever found, and of value in our present struggle. They are God-given and, as we all know, the good that God gives can never be taken away.<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day!<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Somewhere, amid the pain and the frustration we feel over lost health and today’s health trials, there are bright, uplifting memories we’ve lost track of, times when life was easier or days when we heard and enjoyed laughter, did good things and had good times. 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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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