Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Reading Paul...

Hello all, I'm surprised and a little ashamed to say it's been almost two months since I've posted here. Life has been busy with some "good" and "not so good". First the good, and that is that last month I had a wonderful time with two wonderful gals that are blogging friends. God totally put together an opportunity to meet a dear friend that I've been talking to on the phone with for almost 3 years (since we started blogging), and another that I had met previously only briefly, but have now had a chance to get to know and love. We spent some amazing quality time together and I hope and believe we have cemented friendships that will last.

Also, I'm still on the lifestyle change "path" that I started back in March. My husband and I have had to totally rethink our eating habits and food preparation. He has for the last few years, suffered with occasional bouts of "Benign Positional Vertigo" which is an inner ear problem that causes vertigo, but has since the first of the year increased dramatically and has sort of taken over his daily life. Doctor visits, tests, etc. have labeled it, but treatment is elusive and not particularly effective. We've prayed for wisdom and guidance, and feel like God is narrowing down the triggers for these "spells" that leave him feeling sick and weak and disoriented. He's never been "sick" so this has been a real trial for him, (and me). Food allergies which have been detected such as Soy and all soy products have been eliminated (you may not know it, but soy is in almost all packaged foods, such as boxed crackers, protein bars, cake mixes, cookies, breads etc. literally everywhere!) and now we are going to a low low sodium diet, because we think salt may be a trigger. I've had to start cooking with just the basic foods, fresh produce, and lean cuts of meat. I can't complain on these food changes, since it will also benefit me with my cardiovascular issues and overall health. We're believing that God's wisdom in this will prove to be the deciding factor on how my husband feels, and we know that God has a good plan for our life and health, so we're going to stick with it.

Also, I am down 18 lbs. since March, not an enormous amount, but since I'm not trying to break records here; just lifestyle change, I feel good about it, and continue to feel better physically AND mentally. (Eating low carb, low fat) One of the best things is that I'm down 2 to 3 dress sizes and don't feel self conscious about my appearance. (I'm a small boned 5 foot nothing, so really 18 pounds on me is alot.) So if you think you can't lose weight like I did, ask God for His plan for you, and His anointing to do it, and things will start to change.

My husband and I have both questioned God about why we've had to go through these health issues that have caused us so much grief and upset. Things that can suck the joy out of daily life. I know that many of you have health concerns and issues, and other situations in our families, work, etc. that seem to press us down and make life harder than we think it should be.

I've been reading Paul's books of the New Testament, and I'm now in 2 Corinthians. I can't help but believe that by getting to know him, we can all gain a fresh perspective on our own trials and life in general. God doesn't promise us that our lives will be easy, but we can know that He is always with us, leading and guiding us. And yes, He allows us to walk through these tough times. What we learn from them is up to us. Do we give up and wallow in self pity or turn into an unhappy, unproductive person? I hope not. Sometimes I have to make a daily verbal statement that I know that God is here, and that He has a good plan. That I believe that things WILL get better, and that I'm not going to allow circumstances to dictate my Joy in life. I guess that's called Trust and Faith. Believing God is at work in our lives and He is Faithful.


(google images)



2 Corinthians 4:7-10

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."


Whatever you may be going through, just know that you're not alone, God is there with you, and He sees the outcome. AND He will guide you through the hard times, to bring you to the other side.


much love in Jesus,

6 comments:

  1. Oh my I will pray for your husband. I went through a bout of vertigo this past winter. Every time I would turn over in bed my head would spin and wake me up. It started one morning when I thought I was falling out of bed while getting up but I was just sitting there. I think hubs thought I was loosing it. Could not climb on a ladder or chair and when I shopped, I am also 5 foot tall, and looked at the top shelf I would get dizzy and have to grab hold of something or someone. Went to my Dr and an ear specialist and did some specific moves with my head sitting up and then laying down and then one day, it quit, just like that. But I did not get sick to my stomach like your husband and the Dr I went to said I was "lucky" that was not happening to me. I have a friend that went through this also and she went to a chiropractor once and was cured. I will pray for a quick recovery for your hubs because it interferes so much with your daily life. And good for you with your diet change and weight loss!

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  2. Dear Debra,
    Thank you for sharing about your uplifting blog on Common Ground. It's been such a blessing to find so many believers in our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ while blogging. What encouragement and hope we have through Him!
    I look forward to following you in the coming days, my friend.
    Blessings,
    Carolynn
    I love the passage of scripture you posted from II Corinthians! It has been one of my favorites for such a long time.

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  3. hi debra,
    i enjoyed hearing from you again! i am glad for your success in losing some weight and feeling better about yourself! i wanted to tell you my step daughter had a bout of vertigo, nausea, etc. she found out it was caused by crystals in the inner ear. i'll check back with her for more info (as i have forgotten the specifics). maybe you could check with your husband's dr about this. please email at hawknitr13@hotmail.com
    ^)^ linda

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  4. Hey Debra,
    As always, this post has been a real blessing for me this morning. I've 'passed over' reading it for the past few days (feeling like I should, but letting that old "I'll read it later" thing win). Well, I won, just now, and glad I did. My husband is the hardest working man ever, and for the first time, he is not well. I've not been well for several years, either, so yes, it is difficult. We need to totally change our diets as well, and I feel encouraged today to begin our new journey to 'eat to live'....not 'live to eat'. I know how to do it and what to do and I want to please God. Please pray for us and I'll pray for you as well.
    Many blessing ye wise woman!
    Susie

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  5. Peace, is happy to visit your blog.
    I hope you on my space. It will be an honor to follow me.
    http://frutodoespirito9.blogspot.com/


    Visit also the brother's blog J.C. de Araujo.
    uplifting messages ...
    http://discipulodecristo7.blogspot.com/
    Leave your comment ...

    With love to you!

    PSALM 23

    THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD,
    That's Relationship!

    I shall not want,
    This supply is!

    MAKE ME WALK IN GREEN PASTURES,
    This is rest!

    He leadeth me beside the still waters,
    This is refreshing!

    He restores my soul,
    This is healing!

    GUIDE ME FOR THE PATHS OF JUSTICE,
    That's Guidance!

    FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR NAME,
    This is on purpose!

    THOUGH I WALK THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH,
    That's Testing!

    I will fear no evil,
    That's Protection!

    Thou art with me,
    That is fidelity!

    YOUR STICK AND YOUR staff they comfort me,
    This is discipline!

    Prepare a table before ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES,
    This is hope!

    UNGE MY HEAD WITH OIL
    That's Consecration!

    And my cup runneth over,
    That's Abundance!

    SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY A follow me EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE,
    This is a blessing!

    AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD
    That's Security!

    FOR LONG DAYS,
    This is eternity!


    May the Lord bless you and keep you!


    In Christ,

    ***Lucy***

    ReplyDelete
  6. I too have been lax in my blog writing as well as reading, but this morning I felt the urge to get back on track. I'm so glad I did, your blog is such an encouragement.
    My husband and I are at an age where all those nit-picky health problems start happening and we need to eat better, I appreciate your sharing concerning that and congratulations on the weight loss! Every ounce loss is worth counting!
    I am so happy to hear of your blog friendships - they are real and they are a blessing!
    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete

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