Invisible Illness: God Sees the True Picture
Recently, my doctor looked at me and said, "It's not between your ears—your PET scans show the reason you feel so sick." As you can imagine, hearing this was a mixed relief. On one hand, there’s a strange comfort in finally having a medical explanation for feeling so unwell. But on the other, it’s a harsh reminder of just how misunderstood chronic illness can be.
So often, those of us living with conditions like chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, cancer, post-COVID struggles, autoimmune disorders, or chronic pain are left without clear answers. And when tests come back inconclusive, some doctors may imply that it’s “between your ears”—a phrase that stings as it suggests our symptoms are just imagined.
Girl in a White Dress by Alfred Émile Léopold Stevens, a Belgian painter who occasionally depicted themes of illness, convalescence, or emotional distress in his artwork.
To my fellow warriors facing these invisible battles: Your pain and fatigue are real, even if they cannot be measured on a medical test. I know the pain of feeling dismissed, of having doctors, family, or friends question the validity of your brain fog, exhaustion, or pain. Feeling unbelieved and unseen adds an extra weight to an already heavy load. If that’s where you find yourself today, I want you to know this:
You are not alone. There’s a deeper comfort in knowing that the One who created you sees every struggle, every moment of weariness, and every tear you’ve shed over feeling misunderstood. May you embrace Psalm 31:7, which encourages us to proclaim,
“I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.”
The Great Physician sees your affliction, understands your pain, and will never give up on you. Even when people let us down, we can be glad and rejoice in knowing that we are fully understood and deeply loved by the Lord.
Since we are made for relationships and community, it’s also natural to desire the support of the people in our lives. We want to be understood, uplifted, and met with compassion. Those with invisible illness can take on the additional burden and emotional toll that comes with not being believed or supported. When your symptoms don’t fit neatly into a diagnosis, or when the people around you—doctors included—doubt the reality of your pain, it can feel like a battle just to be heard.
That’s why finding a caring community matters. Whether you’re navigating chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, post-COVID complications, autoimmune disorders, or any other invisible illness, I want to offer a space where we can connect and uplift one another. You are invited to join my private Facebook Group: Embracing Abundant Life Together. As you read through the posts and comments by caregivers and people with chronic health issues, you’ll find comfort in knowing that you are not alone. You’ll also find weekly encouragement and inspiration in a safe space where you can be seen, heard, and believed.
The Convalescent by Jacek Malczewski. In this painting, it’s interesting to note that the wilting flowers echo the subject’s position and demeanor.
One final word: We can look to art history to know that genuine representation of life with debilitating illness has always been a challenge. As we see in these paintings, artists of the past have often romanticized the idea of illness. How many times have we seen those old European paintings of women elegantly draped across fainting couches, dressed in fine gowns, looking as though being tired or unwell was glamorous? But we know the reality—there’s nothing glamorous about being unable to get out of bed, struggling to find energy for even the simplest tasks, or feeling lost in a fog that just won’t lift.
Just as artists misrepresented sickness and fatigue, even well-meaning doctors or loved ones can unintentionally gloss over our difficult realities.
Flaming June by Frederic Leighton. The Met Museum reflects, “Leighton maintained that the woman’s circular pose originated with a tired model in his studio, but it is not a position that any person could hold for long… “
As we take a look at a few of these classic art depictions, let's remember that speaking up ensures we are not painted out of the picture. God gave us a voice--so let's use it share our stories in safe spaces. Let’s build community as we share, support, encourage, and remind each other that our experiences matter, even if they’re invisible to others.
So here’s a question for you: If you could tell others one thing about living with an “invisible” illness, what would it be?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And now, I’m off to don my most glamorous dressing gown and lounge on my fainting couch. 😆😅
