Sunday, September 1, 2013

Hope to MY Heart...

Do you want to get well?

Most people who know me do not know about one of my biggest struggles. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It has been a great struggle, not just physically, but emotionally and even spiritually. And, of course, struggling with something that you do not understand increases the amount of the struggle.

This past week has been one of the most difficult weeks yet. The physical pain has been almost unbearable and, unfortunately, I am stubborn and hardheaded. Not being open and honest about the struggle has, I am certain, made things worse, and harder, than it had to be. I got very good at hiding pain. When it got really bad and I couldnt hide it any longer, then people were shocked. So, here I am being open and honest.

And, originally, when I wrote this post, I had developed various reasons why I decided that eliminating processed foods from my diet for a period of thirty days was a good idea for me. However, when I got to church this morning, the title of the message was, Do you want to get well? Now, Pastor Ned was talking in his message about spiritual health and healing the majority of the time.  But, as I am sitting there listening to him it dawned on me. How much should this apply to my physical and emotional health as well? After all, we are a temple of the Holy Spirit, right?

Some people will be probably quick to tell me I am becoming a fanatic. I know some people who are, but that is not what I am talking about here. Look, if I smoked cigarettes every day or drank an excessive amount of alcohol every day or whatever other drug you fill in the blank, and I knew that it was killing me (literally), then, as a Christian, wouldnt it be responsible and Godly for me to eliminate that chemical from my body? My personal opinion is that, yes. It would be. Well, I believe God was telling me this morning that this is why I need to follow this path of getting myself healthy again. Ive done the research and read a ton of stuff, and everything Ive come across comes back to the chemicals I have put into my body. And, if Im honest, Im addicted. Food has more power in my life than it should and it is time for me, with Gods help no doubt, to make some changes. Do I know for sure that I will be completely cured throughout this process? No. I hope so, and I am certain that it will make a difference, but even if it doesnt, I have no doubt that this is a vital step towards health in my life. The rest I must leave up to God and his wisdom.

I began 30 days of only whole foods today, September 1 when I got out of bed. Im starting with 30 days as the goal so that hopefully it will remain an achievable goal, and I wont become overwhelmed. One other hope is that this process will begin to undo any addictions to certain things I have developed. I have already made it six weeks with no artificial sweeteners (Yes, to those who know me well. That is six weeks with no diet soda. At all.). Hopefully the next month will continue to clean up my life and my body.

I am excited about this journey but a bit anxious as well. And, I am not oblivious to the fact that within a few days, the excitement is likely to wane greatly. I am hoping that by posting this and by informing those closest to me, I will have high levels of accountability and on the other side, things will be brighter, and less painful.

Thank you for taking the time to read!


Heather

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