There are so many different types of sickness. Mental illness, heartbreak, emotional sickness. But today, I’m going to talk about plain old sick. Well, chronic plain old sick. You see, when I sat down to write this, I had an idea in my head of what I was going to write about. But, a few minutes in, I can’t remember what that was. This post will probably sit on my computer for days while I forget to take a picture – and then have to actually expend the energy to get it. Guys, it’s hard to be sick. If you are sick, I want to encourage you to take time to heal. Take initiative to heal. And believe me, it’s hard not to feel hypocritical when I say that. I’m the queen of not working to get better. Don’t push yourself. I know that under normal circumstances, ‘pain is gain’. But not often in this case. Give yourself a break! I know that it’s tempting to hide how sick you are. To put on your ‘tough-girl’ face. To laugh it off. Believe me, I do it all the time. I want to maintain my status as a hard-working, unbreakable Alaskan. But you have to face it. I simply can’t carry ten gallons of water at a time from the watering hole. I can’t shovel snow for two hours. I can hardly haul any wood. And I tremble when I think about trying to wrestle an angry goat. Sometimes I hate what I’ve become. I compare myself to the early teenage me, and grind my teeth in frustration over what I can’t do now. If you hide what you can’t do, if you hide that you’re breaking, you’ll break faster. Be willing to say, “I can’t do that.” Be willing to SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE and ask for help. You know that feeling when you hesitate to go eat at someone’s house because you know that, no matter how hard they try, you probably won’t be able to eat half of what they prepare? You know that feeling that you don’t want to participate in an activity because you’re afraid that people will slow down and show pity on you? Too often, half of that feeling comes from pride. Don’t allow your pride to come between you and others. Instead, be humble, willing to be thankful for the kindness that others show you. God made us social creatures, even the severe introverts such as myself. God intended us to lean on and depend on each other in our weakness. Let yourself depend on others. Rely on God’s system. At the same time, don’t pretend to be worse than you are. Don’t use your illness as an excuse to be served. And be looking for ways that you can help and encourage others. Look for ways where you, though you might not be physically or mentally strong, can help someone else in an area where you might be stronger. Paul said to the Corinthians, “I do not mean that others should be eased, and you burdened, but by an equality, that their abundance may supply your lack, and that your abundance should supply their lack, that there may be equality.” (2 Corinthians 8:13-14, probably slightly paraphrased) That’s how God made people to work, and being sick can be a huge reminder of that! Finally, don’t allow your sickness become your identity. When we got home after three months of traveling, I was thoroughly fed up with detailing why I couldn’t eat so much to a different person every. Single. Night. And yet, I still find myself talking about my sickness way too much. Allow yourself to enjoy life and not always dwell on the hard part. Allow yourself to have ambitions, and keep yourself busy with things you enjoy. Some things won’t be possible, but when you’re sick, you probably have time on your hands. Fill those hours, don’t allow yourself to be absorbed by your sickness. Spend time with the people around you, use this time to invest in others! I think the key word in that paragraph is invest. Find the gifts and opportunities that you can take advantage of when you’re sick, and use this time to develop those! Remember to rely on God – He can be your strength. Be joyful! Find the good things in your life, and enjoy them to the fullest! To read Sick - Part Two: Caring for Your Sickie, head over to my dear friend Bella's blog, Worth It All.
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Dani M
My mind is a strange place. I am a Christian first and foremost, but I'm also a musician and an artist. I love science and natural health. I love the ice and I love to dance. This page will contain as much randomness as myself. Archives
July 2019
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