I
am, unabashedly, a Christian. My faith plays a large part in who I am
as person and how I conduct myself on a day-to-day basis. Therefore,
I think it makes sense that my faith plays a large part in my life
with Gastroparesis as well. Every day I have to trust that God will
get me through the day...through the flare...through the
migraine...through the vertigo episode...you get the idea. Every day
I have to KNOW that God has a reason for me living with
Gastroparesis. I don't have to UNDERSTAND, I just have to have faith.
“In
this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if
necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof
of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes, even
though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and
honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”-1 Peter 1:6-7. My
trial, my perseverance through this time of my life, could be the
very thing that someone needs to know that there is a God. The Lord
gives me strength to make it through every day. I thank Him for my
family and friends. For the job that I have. For the church that I
attend and serve at. He sustains me. He is there. Through the
happy...through the sad...through the mundane...through the
painful...through everything.
During
my journey with Gastroparesis, I don't seek to have praise for myself
because I am human that makes mistakes, that fails, that will crumble
under pressure. God, however, is faithful and deserving of all the
praise because it is through Him that I am able to smile through it
all. It is because of Him that I am able to laugh through the life
that is Gastroparesis.
If
you struggle with faith in God, please reach out to me. If you
struggle with the idea that there is joy in pain, please know that
there is. I'd like to suggest the book “Hope for Hurting Hearts”
by Greg Laurie, as well as checking out the trailer for the movie by
the same name.
“Consider
it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of
many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance.
Let
perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything. Blessed
is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test,
that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised
to those who love him.”
-James 1:2-4, 12
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