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Ever have those days where life just feels too tough? You don't want to get out of bed and even face the mountains standing before you? Maybe it's something at work. A personal relationship that has spiraled out of control. Or simply the day-to-day tasks that keep piling up and feel overwhelming.
In 2009, I was having a hard time getting out of bed each day. I have 4 kids, a loving husband, a beautiful home and a good job, but life just seemed hard. My body hurt all over and I felt bruised like I had been beaten with a bat up and down my legs and arms.
Many doctor's visits and months later, I was finally diagnosed with a condition called fibromyalgia. The doctor's described my condition as "unexplained bi-lateral pain all over likely caused by stress." All I could say back was....F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C....with heavy sarcasm.
The doctors gave me muscle relaxers and heavy doses of sleep medication. After just a few days, I was in worse shape than before. I would come home and lay around, barely finding the energy to make dinner, much less spend meaningful time with my children or husband.
Life. Was. Difficult.
After several months of living in a state of medicated exhaustion, I DECIDED to take control of this attack against my body. I was going to stand up and face this demon head on! And I did. Through the inspiration of Isaiah 60.1, which says,
Arise! Shine!
for the glory of God's light shines upon you.
I did a ton of research and little by little, I began to learn how to retrain myself in areas of sleep, stress management, and diet and exercise (which was non-existent). It took....
- TIME
- ENERGY
- PLANNING
- COMMITMENT
And it didn't happen overnight. Each day, I took one step forward. Taking back control of my body, my physical self, all the while also leaning into God for his inspiration and guidance. I leaned on several scriptures to get me through that tough time. Meditating on them, day and night.
Eight years later, I live medication-free and, most days, pain free! I learned what triggers my body and how to manage my lifestyle. I also encourage other women who describe the same feelings of exhaustion and explainable pain to simply Arise! Take control of their life.
Isaiah 60:1 scripture is a call for each of us. It says ARISE -- get up, quit feeling sorry for yourself -- and SHINE like the light God intends you to be in this world. Go give your testimony.
Are you Rising up and Shining today?