She is lonely and overlooked.
Out of sight, out of mind is a reality, and her battle with her health has been long. Her health prevents her from engaging with life in the way that she wants, both on a practical level and a relational level, and this affects her on a mental, emotional, and spiritual level. Her biggest battle is for hope as she is overwhelmed. If only she had hope, she could endure.
If only she had hope, she could handle the financial issues.
If only she had hope, she could navigate the grief.
If only she had hope, she could handle the relational breakdowns.
There is no end in sight, and no one understands. Doctors don’t believe her. Friends patronize her with miracle cures. Or worse, they accuse her of faking her illness. Her family is tired. Though they may be supportive, they’re going through awful things too. There is nothing she can do to make them understand, and she begins to doubt herself too as shame and guilt pile up.
And pile up, and pile up, and pile up. And when will it stop piling up? How much longer? How much more can she take?
How will they pay the medical bills? What does her husband think of all her needs? How can she pull her weight? Will the next treatment work? What will she do if it doesn’t work? Who will the next doctor be? How will she explain her history to them? Is she failing her kids? Should she just push herself harder, try harder?
But how?
There are also other questions, deep life questions. Deep faith questions. Mostly, “why?” Why this? Why now? Why me?
If she doesn’t care for her emotional, mental, and spiritual health, she will lose the ability to care well for her physical health. Her relationships will suffer, her faith will suffer, her health will suffer.
This girl was me. Maybe this girl is you. Statistically, this girl is someone you know.
And that’s why we started the Diamonds conference. To care for this woman or man’s mental, emotional, and spiritual health. To care for yours.
Diamonds is an online conference for Christians with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and health challenges. Millions of chronically ill people battle impossible trials every single day. But so many of them feel so desperately alone.
The speakers of the Diamonds want you to know you aren’t—not by a long shot.
And you’re invited.
Diamonds is an online conference for Christians with chronic illnesses. In this event, we tackle rest and chronic illness. If you are . . .
-You’re exhausted
-You don’t know how to rest emotionally
-You feel guilty for resting
-You don’t think you’re productive enough
-You’re chronically ill
Then this conference is for you!
“I am one of those individuals who is not able to attend church right now, nor able to leave home much. To gather together and be encouraged amidst this type of chronic illness, in my own home, was such a blessing. I found myself being reminded of things God had already been teaching me, being reminded that I am not alone in my struggle and hearing new words of encouragement.”
Chronic illness can often make you feel invisible: unnoticed, unloved, and misunderstood, by others or even by God. But you are seen. You are loved. And you are understood. Diamonds 2023: Seeing the Invisible is a free online conference for Christians with health challenges. This event covers topics like:
- Trusting God’s character through the darkest valleys
- Recognizing God’s work in the small things
- Clinging by faith to God’s promises in the Bible
- Serving through and from the struggles of chronic illness
- And much more!
“I couldn’t watch all the sessions, so I’m looking forward to listening to the recordings. The ones I could watch were very good! Thanks again!”
Just because you’re sick doesn’t mean your life is over. But it can feel like it. We get it. We’ve been there. We are there. In this event, we want to give you permission to dream again. And to grieve with you all the dreams that have died. Some of the topics are:
- Grieving and Surrendering Lost Dreams
- Finding New Passions When You Have Limitations
- Courage To Hope for New & Old Dreams
- Trusting God In The Unknowns and Changed Plans
- Being Faithful in the In Between of Chronic Illness
“I really enjoyed the conference and literally watched it from bed.”
Does your chronic illness make you feel alone? Misunderstood? Overlooked? Out of sight, out of mind? The theme for Diamonds 2022 is Connected—all about our relationship with God and others. Diamonds 2022 is an encouragement in the reality that you are not alone and equips you to use the unique opportunities suffering gives us to love others well.
Some of the topics include:
- Why we need community
- Connecting with the local church as a chronically ill Christian
- Connecting with your children when your energy is limited
- Setting boundaries with your community
- And much more!
“Does anyone else feel this conference theme was hand-crafted for them? God knew. He knew. He’s got me.”
Chronic illness doesn’t just affect us, it affects those we love–and our relationship with them. Couples from around the country come together from their own chronic illness trenches to offer encouragement and hope for weary couples battling chronic illness.
- Accepting your spouse’s burdens and communicating through them
- Building a strong dating relationship (while struggling with chronic illness)
- Finances, worth, and illness in marriage
- When the marriage bed becomes a sick bed: sex, marriage, and chronic illness
“I have attended many conferences over the years, some as an early childhood educator, others as a follower of Jesus. Nearly all of them spent 30 minutes describing the problem then 10 minutes rushing through possible solutions or proactive steps to take. Diamonds conference flipped it. I was truly astounded by how many challenges to character development were offered and what a plethora of helpful suggestions were given.”
If we can’t do anything, how do we serve God? Is there any purpose in our silent suffering? What’s the point of it all? This online conference for Christians with chronic illnesses is all about our identity and worth in God, and how our illness can strengthen our relationship with Him. Some of the topics covered are:
- Navigating grief and chronic illness
- Understanding your worth and value when you’re chronically ill
- How to create your unique support community
- How to serve God when you’re chronically ill
- A Biblical theology of suffering
- And much more!