Statistics show that approximately 96 percent of people that live with some type of illness are living with an "invisible illness," and most are chronic diseases.

People with an invisible illness can seem like they are perfectly healthy. But in reality, they are fighting a battle within themselves, day in and day out. Be it a chronic illness, autoimmune disease, or even anxiety; all can take over someone's life with a vengeance, and many people don't understand the severity or the instability of a "normal" life for someone living with an invisible illness.

Personally, I battle with my diagnosis of Crohn's Disease alongside debilitating anxiety and often depression. For those of you who don't know, Crohn's Disease is an autoimmune disease of your digestive system. Some may call it "glorified IBS," but it's so much more than that. It's a chronic disease that can drain every bit of life from your body, putting you through immeasurable pain on a daily basis. On top of all that, the treatment one endures to try to "manage" life, wipes out their immune system completely. There's currently no cure for Crohn's and many doctors claim we won't see that cure in this lifetime. (But I'm a firm believer that there will be, because I was created by Jesus Christ, just like you, and he only has plans to prosper us.)

Anxiety and depression are things I've battled with much of my young adult life and I'm surrounded by others with the same internal wars. Many people don't understand. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten "What do you have to be sad about?" or "Why do you care so much?" or even "Just stop overthinking things." Do you think we just wake up one day and decide to have these problems? No. Everyone has their own story. Everyone goes through a different life path—different seasons, so to speak. It's easy to put on a smile and act like everything is peachy to get through the day, but at the end of that day your whole body can ache with sadness, with no explanation.

I've talked with several other people in my life that live with "invisible illnesses" of all types. Here are five things people that suffer from an Invisible Illness want you to know:

1. Just because you can't see our pain, doesn't mean it's not there.

You may not see the pain we're in, on the outside. It's either because we've learned to tolerate it or we just don't want to be labeled the "complainer." We are living, breathing, examples of "Don't judge a book by its cover." You never know what someone is going through; physically or mentally.

2. We hate to make plans because there's a 95 percent chance those plans will change due to how we're feeling the moment/day of the actual plan.

I can't tell you how many times I've felt like a horrible friend, because of the amount of times I've had to cancel plans for a Crohn's flare or simply because I have no energy. People don't understand the severity of the issue and just how draining it can be. I personally choose to spend a lot of my time alone so I don't continuously let anyone down.

3. Most days it takes an army to even just get out of bed.

We're not lazy, we're fighters. Small victories are the only way to keep going.

4. Sometimes we're moody with no explanation.

Again, a chronic illness can drain the life out of you in a millisecond. Add anxiety and depression and you're at war with yourself daily.

5. Sometimes we're hard to love, but for those who stick around. We appreciate you more than you know.

I know the only way I can get through this life and the hand I've been dealt, is with my Jesus and the support system He has given me to be able to fight these battles here on earth every day. Having people who may not fully understand, but deal with us anyways, is the unconditional love and support those with invisible illnesses need; and for that, we thank you.

"When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." Psalm 94:18-19 NIV