Finding Purpose: Rediscovering Meaning in a Life with Chronic Illness

by Cindee Snider Re

What if purpose looks different than we believe?

What if purpose isn’t defined by education, gifts or passion? Isn’t determined by what we are able to do? Isn’t affected by what we’ve lost due to chronic illness?

What if, instead, purpose simply draws us toward God? What if we are called to be instead of to do?

Finding Purpose is a 10-chapter study inviting you to release cultural and traditional definitions of purpose and instead to embrace God’s – a timeless definition rooted in His word and as refreshing as a gentle spring rain.

"Purpose used to haunt me constantly. What if chronic illness permanently ripped away and erased my old self? What if I can't ever support myself? What future is there for someone like me? What is my purpose? Finding Purpose doesn't have all the answers, but it is the first step on a journey that will change your life." ~ Sam Re, Chronic Illness Warrior

158 pages, Paperback

Published November 5, 2017

About the author

Cindee Snider Re is wife of 28 years to the man she loves most in this world, mama of five world-shaking creatives, ages 18-27, author, photographer, craver of quiet, lover of cotton, denim, Jesus and tea, and she is co-founder of Chronic Joy®.

Cindee and four of her five kids have Ehlers-Danlos and myriad co-existing conditions, yet in spite of these diagnoses, or maybe because of them, she has learned that the deeper the valley, the greater her capacity for joy, "because it's there - in every hard, beautiful, precious moment."

Reviews

[Joy Lenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

When chronic illness steal our hopes and dreams, it doesn't take much to make us feel sidelined by life, lost and purposeless. But it needn’t be that way because, as the author reveals here, there is always purpose to be found and a rediscovery of hope and meaning can make all the difference in the world.

The truth is that you and I are born for a holy purpose uniquely suited to our individual situation and personal circumstances. Our life has no less meaning for being challenged by chronic illness. We have reason to rejoice, be thankful and content, while we share our lives, gifts and talents with others.

Through personal anecdotes, gently probing journal questions, relevant bible verses, inspiring quotes and wise insights, Cindee Snider Re shows that you and I matter, our lives have purpose now, whether we are healed or not. Savoured slowly and worked through prayerfully, this is an inspiring, life-transforming read. I highly recommend it.

[Bettie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Cindee has written a book that will get right to the heart for anyone living with chronic illness. "Finding Purpose" has a true Spirit-led motivation that will bring encouragement to those who may have felt there could be no purpose left for them after an unsettling and life-changing diagnosis. The chapters on writing your own allegory and asking God for His life's purpose for you brought rays of beauty into my own dull and grey days with chronic illness. Thank you for sharing these God-given gifts.

[Ellie Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's nothing out there like Finding Purpose. I've often felt other Bible studies were too preachy. Somehow they made me feel that I wasn’t enough, and their words were my only hope for salvation. Not this one. Finding Purpose helped me realize that God doesn't want us to walk through any part of life alone. It helped me gather what I need within myself to listen to Him, and look for Him in everything. Finding Purpose wasn’t written by a stuffy sounding know it all, it was written by a kind hearted friend of everyone.