Living Triumphantly in Sickness

I believe in a God who SAVES. Who brings HOPE.  Who HEALS. Who REDEEMS.

I believe in a God who, through Himself, ultimately gives us VICTORY and TRIUMPH in the midst of the battles that come our way.

However, that doesn't mean that it won't be a fight. The enemy has a much different agenda for us in the battle ... he wants us to curl up and give in to defeat. Acknowledge our weakness. Become a victim of the lies that fill our minds. The enemy wants us to succumb to the negative thoughts of never.

Never regaining my life back.

Never finding relief from constant pain.

Never good enough.

Never being able to run again.

Never ... (Get my drift?)

Summer 2016 has been a FIGHT. The thoughts of "never" have found their way into the swarms of thoughts racing through my mind more times than I'd like to admit. Illness has taken its toll on my quality of life and the whispers of defeat from the enemy have been overwhelming by times.

I've DOUBTED.

I've asked "WHY?"

I've had moments of giving into DEFEAT.

The whispers of defeat and overwhelming-ness of the raging battle have at times left me on my knees with tear-filled eyes. HOWEVER, it has been in these moments of defeat written all over my heart, when I've had to surrender, admit my desperate need for God and look to Him to be my defense.

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth."

-Psalm 121:1-2

It has been in these moments that I've had to embrace this season of life, knowing that God has not once been surprised by it, and focus on the good moments.

It is in these moments that God asks me to have greater faith and teaches me to trust Him more. He has asked me to believe in His promises and not give up hope.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."

-Romans 8:28

It has been in these moments that I've had to thwart lies from the enemy, fill my mind with the Truths in God's Word and give myself grace.

It has been in these moments that I've had to believe that God is bigger than any of my diagnoses'.

It has been in these moments that God has held me in His arms, filled me with His presence, and allowed me to experience His overwhelming love that He lavishes upon me.

"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know  the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that  you may be filled with the fullness of God."

-Ephesians 3:17-19

The battle continues, but I refuse to stay stuck in defeat. I don't know what lies ahead of me, but I know who holds my future and one thing I'm sure of is that I can place my full TRUST in GOD and He will never leave me to fight alone.

"It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; 

He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

-Deuteronomy 31:8

We're told to "count it all joy, when we face trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness ..." (James 1:2-4), so instead of allowing my discouraging physical ailments and circumstances lead me down a road of defeat, I'm consciously choosing to live triumphantly with God by my side.