Crowd it out!

Can Have vs. Can't Have

As a Nutirionist, I have a pretty good idea about what motivates people to stick with a meal plan. It was obvious pretty early on in my career, that people do not like to hear about what they CANNOT do or have. They didn't want to hear "do not eat sugar...do not eat processed food...do not drink soda...". People respond much more positively when it's about what they CAN do and have. For example, I had a client that really loved his diet coke. He would drink several per day and it was a big roadblock on his journey to health. He didn't want anyone to tell him that soda was a poison best avoided!  I didn't even mention the soda in our session - Instead I talked about the drinks he needed each day: water, lemon water, vegetable juice, smoothie, green tea.  He was encouraged to drink a certain quantity of each and by the time he drank everything on the list, he didn't have a chance (or room in his belly!) to grab a soda. In our follow up session, I reviewed his food logs and found that he only had two sodas the entire 2 weeks, compared to the 4 per day prior to our session. When I brought up the subject of his soda habit, he shared that he was always thinking about it and craving it, until those two weeks. He was thrilled to switch his thought process and think about what he could have.

How does this apply to Chronic Illness?

That's not much different than what I apply when it comes to the illness I'm dealing with. The first few years were filled with many terrible emotions, heartache and fear. Sadly, that is what I focused on in the early days. When I came to know the Lord and my faith strengthened, I began to spend more time on positive things. I was crowding out the bad without even realizing it! 

For me, developing a closer relationship to the Lord and going to church, studying the Bible and working in ministry really built a nice toolkit for me to be able see beyond my physical illness, to find purpose - God's purpose for me.  When the appointments, tests, symptoms, hospital stays come and the fear of what's around the corner begins to take hold, I quickly crowd it out...with Jesus! It brings a peace that I never knew could exist.

If you are on a diet, would you leave cookies on the table? That probably wouldn't be in your best interest!  If googling your symptoms or spending too much time thinking about your health issues (or any other difficulty in your life)  makes you spin downhill, crowd it out! If you tell yourself you *can't* google your symptoms, it may just be on your mind more. But, what if each time you want to find those answers on the internet, you choose to search Bible Verses on hope and healing and God's love for YOU instead? What if you find yourself having quiet time and your thoughts go the wrong direction? You may know it's not good for you, so not only are you spinning downward in your thoughts, but you may even begin to feel guilty that you've allowed it (just like eating that cookie sometimes!). Next time, don't tell yourself you can't think about those things...just crowd it out! Fill that time with something else in line with being more positive. Pick up your Bible, work on a devotional, call a trusted friend and meet for coffee, etc. 

Many of the people that follow this Blog have chronic health issues like I do. I challenge you to look at your situation. What is going well? What isn't going well? Sure, our bodies are going to give us trouble to varying degrees, and sometimes very serious, but we are SO much more than our bodies. God has a plan for each and every one of us and we don't need to wait to be healed to discover it. Often huge spiritual growth takes place during our trials. 

Where do I Start?

There are many ways to start, but I suggest starting everything with prayer. Spend some quiet time with Lord, asking Him to show you what you need and for the strength and discipline to do so. 

Some of the ways I've been able to crowd it out with Jesus are:

- I pray and spend quiet time with the Lord often.

- I schedule time that's set aside to study the Bible, read devotionals etc.

- I enjoy fellowship with other Believers who understand my situation and limitations. 

- I started a Facebook Group, where folks suffering with chronic illness who want to rely on God's grace in their journey, can find encouragment and fellowship. 

- I join Twitter "Prayer" and "Praise" chats that are almost like Bible Study and I learn so much and I'm so encouraged by them. I have been recovering at home for the last month so I have been unable to attend my Church or Bible Study - I'm thankful for technology these days! 

- I keep a Gratitude Journal and I use it to write the the blessings God has given me. This especially helps on the harder 

days. 

I have experienced the crowding out the illness or suffering with JESUS firsthand and it's been a game changer for me. The illness is still part of my body until

God sees fit for me to be healed, but it's not part of me! 

God does not always take away our suffering, but He will always transform it, transform YOU in it. Look to Jesus in every way, seek Him and you will be healed in the most important way, spiritually. Physical healing just may be next! 

xoxo,

Linda 

It's real life, folks! A guest entry from a Lyme Warrior!

You know someone with a chronic Illness, but may not know who! Many of the illnesses are invisible so these people can fly under the radar. Statistics report that 1 in 3 people (90 million in the US alone) have a chronic illness. Wowza - that's a huge number. Even with that alarming statistic, there seems to be a lack of awareness. 

I recently read a very vulnerable facebook post from a dear friend - someone who is one of the 1 in 3, battling her way through some difficult days. Today I am sharing her post with you in an effort to shed some light on what it's like living with a chronic illness. Many of these diseases are invisible and those of us who live with them tend keep the details private as we press on, which can lend to some normalcy but also to some isolation. These dreadful diseases that cause so much pain, fatigue, limitations and daily struggles affect the whole person, in every area of their life. The amazing gal who wrote this post has a very strong family and a very strong faith in a God. She is blessed that she is able to live with joy and gives complete praise to The Lord for His grace over her life, in a very difficult situation. 

The Facebook post below was written by Lisa Pelton, who has severe Lyme Disease. More importantly, she is a beautiful married mama, friend to many, a children's book author, a lover of life and The Lord! Her case of Lyme is very rare and complex because of co-infections that are resistant to treatment and what she deals with on a daily basis is hard for even me to comprehend. She uses a wheelchair, is mostly homebound and doesn't know any given morning what she'll wake up to. Will her body seize up? Will she be exhausted? Will she have pain? Will she be able to get her kids ready for school? Will she be able to cook? All of these unknowns lead her family to move in with her in-laws. Here's a snapshot of her world, from her own words: 

"It has been a little over a year since I started to really feel bad and was scrambling going to Dr's appointments to help figure out what was happening to me. This hit me hard yesterday, especially because Gary and I had a morning by ourselves. My parents took the kids overnight and all I wanted was to spend time with him, having a quiet breakfast, just the two of us. But, he knew I needed to get food in me quickly and offers to cook at home. "No, I sit with your parents every morning. They are here and I just need you", I told him. I needed to feel 'normal'. We decided to go to Stick Boy, just in town, but I was frustrated because it is not an easy place to get into with a wheelchair. Gary said to leave that problem to him. We got in the car and the tears started to flow. He looked over at me. "What's wrong?" "It is all so overwhelming at times." I responded. He understood. Then as we near town we look up and we see a road block. A physical roadblock to where we want to go. There was a big downtown event, and we needed to change directions. Our hearts sunk, once again forced in a direction, having no choice. Hungry, the new direction had us consider Starbucks, and thankfully they serve breakfast items these days. I was still teary as we sat and Gary lovingly squeezed my hand. I was so appreciative we were together. We then decided to go see my daughter at her gymnastics practice. I have not been able to watch her since I saw her compete in the State meet last December. It meant the world to her that I was there and I also got to see my co-workers and we exchanged huge hugs. How I miss them. I was exhausted by the time I got home and was in bed the rest of the day. All in all it was a really good day. I got to have a taste of my old 'normal', something I realized while driving into town I desperately needed to feel. I don't know what lies ahead, only God knows this. Sometimes we are forced to change directions, and it is not easy. Our 'normals' change from what we once knew. It is hard for everyone to adjust. But the thing that remains constant is our GOD. He is NEVER changing. So if you are in a situation where you find your circumstances have taken you on a detour or roadblock, always remember who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His grace will cover all the 'normal' that has changed even if the old normal becomes a new one. Be blessed! Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

First, I feel inspired by Lisa's attitude and faith, but then I feel heartbroken. As another one of the 1 in 3 that suffers with a chronic illness, I understand every word she said. So many people take for granted that they can hop in the car and drive with their spouse to a restaurant or movie theatre, walk right in, order some munchies, enjoy a movie and call it a night! Sounds easy enough, right?  You'd be surprised that for many people it isn't. We do crave "normalcy", but for most of us it's a new and constantly changing normal. 

Lisa said something that really warmed my heart. "God is our constant! He is never changing!"  The circumstances that cause change in our life have no affect on God. The uncertainties of life may shake us, but not God - a ROCK - He does not move!  

Psalm 33:11 "The Lord's plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken." 

God's plan is unchangeable. It existed at the beginning of creation and remains the same today...and you are part of His plan! Paul explains, "We are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago" Ephesians 2:10

It's pretty amazing that in all of the uncertainty that comes with chronic illness, we can have everlasting security in God's unchanging commitment. Trusting in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can be assured of eternal life. We may be in some pretty serious storms along the way, and those storms will certainly change, but God remains the same - reliable always. His grace is always sufficient!

If you are one of the 1 in 3 suffering with a chronic illness, I have a challenge for you today!  I challenge you to meditate on this verse:  “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2  Next, make a list of times God has been right there, unchanged, while you've been dealing with so many changes. How have you seen His grace pour over you? 

Then I challenge you to keep talking about your story, share your testimony. People need to know they are not alone and you never know who your story can help!

If you are reading this and do not fall into that statistic, I have a different challenge for you. I ask that you think about the people in your life who may be fighting their own battle. He/she may be as obvious as a person in a wheelchair, or they may have invisible illnesses, such as many autoimmune diseases or even cancer.  If you feel lead to, offer this person some encouragement, a simple hello message or a phone call. Just letting them know you care and haven't forgotten about them does wonders for the soul!  

We are all one in Christ!

Xoxo,

Linda