“Invisible illness isn’t a choice. But your
visible hope is!” says, Lisa Copen of Rest
Ministries. So many of us have no
control over our illness but we do have a choice as to how we will live our life
in spite of our chronic illness and challenges.
This year Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries and The National
Invisible Chronic Illness Week has challenged us to share our visible hope – to
share what we choose.
“Do you not know
that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have
received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore
honor God with your bodies.” 1
Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
Over the past 30
years I have been living with chronic illnesses of which most have been debilitating
at times. Due to a mixture of low metabolism,
medication, lack of mobility I have seen my weight climb to an extremely
unhealthy and scary height. This past
year the doctors have felt that the only way the unhealthy excess weight will
come off would be to have gastric bypass surgery. Surgery of any kind can be a challenge to
anyone, but when one has multiple chronic health issues it can become more of a
challenge for the doctors as well to me.
I chose last year
to become a healthier me – however the Lord so chooses because my body is His
temple not my own and I needed to present to Him a temple worthy of His
use. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers
and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans
12:1-3
So upon approval
of all my doctors and the health insurance company, I began my quest to become
a healthier me January 1, 2013. The doctors warned me that most of my chronic
health issues would still be here when I lose my weight, but they said removing
such a heavy load on this old body would help lessen the strain on the body
that already is ravished by my chronic health challenges.
Since January 2013
I have lost a total of 90 lbs. I still
have a long way to go with my weight loss, but I am determined to become a
healthier me – physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Like most of you,
I take life one day at a time. I wake up
each day thankful for His provision, protection and promises as I choose each
day to become a healthier me. What do
you choose?
National Invisible
Chronic Illness Awareness Week is held annually in September and is a worldwide
effort to bring together people who live with invisible chronic illness and
those who love them. It is also a time
to educate and bring awareness to churches, organizations, health professions
as to how they can help the nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA who live with
illness and that about 96% of it is invisible.
To learn more
about this special week, how you can help or if you are on who is living with a
chronic illness please visit these sites:
http://invisibleillnessweek.com/
http://restministries.com/
1 comment:
Hay lady look at you. It has been a long time. Years ago you sent me a little book. It was the preventive tool for the months that came after, now turned into years. Thank you for it. I will look into the site.
Be blessed.
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