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Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why (Conquering the Confusions of Chronic Illness)
 
 
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Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why (Conquering the Confusions of Chronic Illness) [Paperback]

Lisa J. Copen (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Price: $14.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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Book Description

Conquering the Confusions of Chronic Illness July 1, 2004
"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?


Frequently Bought Together

Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why (Conquering the Confusions of Chronic Illness) + Mosaic Moments: Devotionals for the Chronically Ill + Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend (Conquering the Confusions of Chronic Illness)
Price For All Three: $32.25

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  • Mosaic Moments: Devotionals for the Chronically Ill $11.25

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  • Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend (Conquering the Confusions of Chronic Illness) $7.00

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Editorial Reviews

Review

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.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 140 pages
  • Publisher: Rest Ministries Publishers (July 1, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0971660042
  • ISBN-13: 978-0971660045
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #627,186 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill. She has authored nine books, including resources for over 300 HopeKeepers groups, a small group program of Rest Ministries.

Her newest book is "How to Start a Chronic Illness Small Group Ministry," 320 pages packed full of everything from logistical steps in presenting your idea to the church, to the emotional and spiritual part of deciding if this is something to take on within the limitations your illness may give you.

As editor of HopeKeepers Magazine, founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, and host of Hope Endures radio program Lisa seeks to encourage churches to increase an outreach to the chronically ill nearly 1 in 2 people in the U.S. She was awarded the "Women's Health Hero" Award for 2009 as the "Audience Choice" given by Our Bodies Ourselves.

Lisa is also the designer of Scrapbook My Adoption, providing transparency overlays and other designs for baby books and personalized adoption albums.

Lisa's works have been published in periodicals such as Just Between Us and Faith Writers Magazine, and books including God Allow U-Turns. Lisa is a sought-after speaker and has been a guest of radio programs Decision Today, Family Life and Joni and Friends and national TV programs like "Peace in the Storm" and "Heroes Among Us."

She resides in San Diego with her husband and young son, and has lived with degenerative rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia since 1993.

She is a member of AWSA, a Christian writers and speakers women's group and also helps author with internet marketing tips, presenting marketing ideas and tips at Christian writer's workshops.

Interesting facts? Hmmm. . . Lisa wore the same pair of sandals for over 5 years due to the inability to find shoes that fit her deformed feet from her disease, plus hammer toes. She has been a passenger on the prednisone roller coaster; as her dosages have gone up and down, so has her weight, gaining over 80 pounds, losing it in 2003-2005 and then regaining it. She's currently on the "down cycle" but the steroid continues to make it a fight. She is ready for a new "Author photo" too!

 

Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Did not meet expectations, July 9, 2008
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This review is from: Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why (Conquering the Confusions of Chronic Illness) (Paperback)
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.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars why can't I make people understand, July 27, 2007
This review is from: Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why (Conquering the Confusions of Chronic Illness) (Paperback)
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.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars How Can I Make Them Understand, August 21, 2010
This review is from: Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why (Conquering the Confusions of Chronic Illness) (Paperback)
I purchased "Why Can't I Make Them Understand?, by Lisa Copen," about a year ago and apparently it was a help to me because I had it marked at numerous places.

I pulled it off the shelf to read it a second time because I'm going through a very difficult time emotionally as the Lupus with CNS involvement is progressing. I also have several other illnesses such as OA; FM ; Epilepsy; Cognitive Dysfunction, etc.

My recent EEG revealed that the left side of my brain is functioning more slowly than the right, which would explain why the loss of balance and my mental abilities are getting worse.

I turned once again to this excellent book because at a time when I need my family's support more than ever, they don't seem to be giving credence to my worsening illness. They all love me very much and have always been supportive and a comfort to me, but sometimes, as many people, they just don't "get it".

Perhaps because of my worsening condition, I've become more sensitive. Rereading this book has already blessed me and I'm only on the second chapter! I've marked up so much more as I read and it is so much what I need right now.

Today, as I was reading I became aware of something that never entered my mind before. The phrase that speaks of not only "accepting our own limitations, but that we also need to understand the limitations of those who can't seem to understand." - Rita E.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
It's a kind word of encouragement and yet we've all felt the twinge of "if you only knew" that sparks possible heartache or resentment. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
words that hurt, safe people
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Christ Jesus, Jesus Christ, Prayer Lord, God's Word, Joni Eareckson Tada, God Himself, Holy Spirit, The Message
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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