During my worst season with Lyme Disease (and other co-infections), I don't really know how I was able to make it to work at my high-stress job. I would wake up exhausted and in acute pain since I was only able to sleep in the early morning hours if at all. Sitting up in bed, I would pray to God to help me just one more day at work. Then, I would quickly get ready for work. Taking a shower was physically impossible so my appearance was a bit disheveled, to say the least. With my stomach protruding, due to my undigested breakfast, I would pray one last time in hope that I would not have a panic attack at work. But, through the grace of God, I have learned four (4) things that have helped me with the challenges of physical weakness.
Do pray for those you will interact with today. Remember that Jesus prayed prior to selecting the twelve disciples. Our interactions may not be quite as important, but if He needed to pray prior to his interactions, may be we should as well. Also, remember that God is in control of everything including the hearts of men. Consequently, praying that people around you might be a bit more understanding is great thing. (1 Timothy 2:1)
Do pray for discernment. Understanding our limitations and knowing how to avoid certain situations, can avoid a lot of frustration and anxiety. The next section will cover specific areas to think about. (Mathew 26:41)
Don't eat any foods that cause allergies. Your body has enough issues right now so don't add to that stress by eating foods you know will make you feel bad. If you accidentally do eat something that makes you feel sick, take a green vegetable based supplement such as Veggies4Live.
In conclusion, physical weakness can be a constant struggle with a chronic illness. However, I pray that the above items will not only help your physical weakness but also your spiritual one.
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1. Pray
Do pray at all times and for everything. Our father loves a dependent child and he will not get tired of you. He loves it when you ask him for help, so please do. (Proverbs 1:20-21,8:1-3; James 4:2)Do pray for those you will interact with today. Remember that Jesus prayed prior to selecting the twelve disciples. Our interactions may not be quite as important, but if He needed to pray prior to his interactions, may be we should as well. Also, remember that God is in control of everything including the hearts of men. Consequently, praying that people around you might be a bit more understanding is great thing. (1 Timothy 2:1)
Do pray for others who are suffering, especially those who are suffering more than you. Even in your weakness, God can use your suffering to help others. My suffering opened my eyes to the pain that people were experiencing around me and helped me realize how important it was for me to pray for them.
Do pray for discernment. Understanding our limitations and knowing how to avoid certain situations, can avoid a lot of frustration and anxiety. The next section will cover specific areas to think about. (Mathew 26:41)
2. Be Discerning
Do not do hard things on extremely difficult days. For example, leave the laundry, heavy lifting, and stressful situations for another day. Put these hard tasks on your to-do list so they won't be forgotten and give yourself a break. Remember that if you weren't chronically ill, you would most likely be sick in bed. At least see if you can put these hard tasks off until the afternoon when you might be feeling a little bit better. If you can't put them off, perform the tasks slowly and with much prayer.
Do not act on your feelings during this time. Any life changing decisions should be made when you are feeling (at least emotionally) better and thinking clearly. Decisions about quitting your job, moving out of your current house, leaving town or other similar actions need to be carefully prayed about, discussed with others, and planned for so that you can make a decision that agrees with and is based on God's word, not your emotions.
Not acting on your feelings includes avoiding any kind of confrontation at all cost. Instead, pray to the Lord about this person's sin and hand this pain over to Him (more than once, if needed) so that He may give them life (1 John 5:16). Moreover, do not listen to the anxious thoughts in your mind and replace them with bible verses on the promises of God and His sovereignty or listen to christian music/sermons on your headphones.
Do let people know that you are not feeling well today (but don't go into the details with your co-workers). Unfortunately, the people around you may not be able to tell how much pain and anxiety you have.
Do not wait to ask for help. It is better to ask for a bit of help now from trusted family members or people that you know are willing to help. I would not wait until the situation gets worse (e.g. during a panic attack) to ask for help.
Do leave revenge to the Lord by trusting that He will avenge. Any thoughts of revenge can and will harm you due to the condition you are in. Avoid these thoughts by sincerely asking God to give you forgiveness for that person and then move on. God has allowed this hurt to occur for a reason and a purpose. All you have to do is react in the correct manner, which is in forgiveness.
Do ask for forgiveness quickly if you have wronged someone. Be fully assured of the forgiveness that is available from Christ and get up and move on.
Do have hope by remembering that in heaven all of our tears will be wiped away and there will be no more sorrow. Pray to God that He will heal your pain and help you with any lingering anger. (1 John 3:3, Romans 15:13, Others)
Do not act on your feelings during this time. Any life changing decisions should be made when you are feeling (at least emotionally) better and thinking clearly. Decisions about quitting your job, moving out of your current house, leaving town or other similar actions need to be carefully prayed about, discussed with others, and planned for so that you can make a decision that agrees with and is based on God's word, not your emotions.
Not acting on your feelings includes avoiding any kind of confrontation at all cost. Instead, pray to the Lord about this person's sin and hand this pain over to Him (more than once, if needed) so that He may give them life (1 John 5:16). Moreover, do not listen to the anxious thoughts in your mind and replace them with bible verses on the promises of God and His sovereignty or listen to christian music/sermons on your headphones.
Do let people know that you are not feeling well today (but don't go into the details with your co-workers). Unfortunately, the people around you may not be able to tell how much pain and anxiety you have.
Do not wait to ask for help. It is better to ask for a bit of help now from trusted family members or people that you know are willing to help. I would not wait until the situation gets worse (e.g. during a panic attack) to ask for help.
3. Forgive and forget
Do forgive so that you will be forgiven. I know that it is easier to tell you to forgive than to actually do it. But, God commands it and all of his commandments are for our good (Deuteronomy 10:13). Most of my anger problems stemmed from my physical weakness and being mistreated while in this condition. You do need to forget or it will come bubbling up during an anxiety attack or make you paranoid later on. Ask God to give you forgiveness and to help you forget. Just remember that the people around you really have no idea of what you are going through so replace your anger with that understanding. Lastly, if you are still unwilling to forgive, read through what the bible says about forgiveness. (Sermon Lab on Forgiveness)Do leave revenge to the Lord by trusting that He will avenge. Any thoughts of revenge can and will harm you due to the condition you are in. Avoid these thoughts by sincerely asking God to give you forgiveness for that person and then move on. God has allowed this hurt to occur for a reason and a purpose. All you have to do is react in the correct manner, which is in forgiveness.
Do ask for forgiveness quickly if you have wronged someone. Be fully assured of the forgiveness that is available from Christ and get up and move on.
Do have hope by remembering that in heaven all of our tears will be wiped away and there will be no more sorrow. Pray to God that He will heal your pain and help you with any lingering anger. (1 John 3:3, Romans 15:13, Others)
4. Take Care of your Temple
Do eat foods that are easy to digest. The best source of protein and hydration that I have found is a bowl full of egg drop soup. I have this every morning when I am feeling weak and some times again in the afternoon. I have also used a plant based protein shake that contained spirulina, pea or brown rice in an oatmeal based shake to which I add celery, alfalfa powder, almond milk, apples and berries.
Don't eat any foods that cause allergies. Your body has enough issues right now so don't add to that stress by eating foods you know will make you feel bad. If you accidentally do eat something that makes you feel sick, take a green vegetable based supplement such as Veggies4Live.
In conclusion, physical weakness can be a constant struggle with a chronic illness. However, I pray that the above items will not only help your physical weakness but also your spiritual one.
.
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