“When we start feeling dizzy, we become anxious, fearful, and weak. Lisa shares how we can change these emotions.
Those who stumble are armed with strength.” (1 Samuel 2:4)
Do you ever start feeling dizzy because of your illness or medication side effects? My feet are quite deformed from a lifetime of hammer toes and twenty years of rheumatoid arthritis. I put all weight on my heels, as I cannot place weight on the balls of my feet. This, in addition to sometimes feeling dizzy, is not a good way to stand on your two feet.
My knees also go right out from under me. Some of you have heard one of my favorite attitudes: “I used to be cute to look at. Now I am just fun to watch.” As I stand in a line, and attempt to just stay in one place, it can appear I have had a little too much to drink.
Feeling dizzy is a common side effect of both illnesses and medication, but it is emotionally exhausting as well. It is scary to feel as though you are not able to have full control on your body. There are times I have taken a step and then had that split second question race through my brain of “Am I going down?” Sometimes I do. Most often, thankfully, I do not. But the fear, the unknowing, is always there. Feeling dizzy is weakening. It causes a great deal of anxiety and even embarrassment if we are falling in front of others.
When I saw this scripture recently, “Those who stumble are armed with strength,” I stopped and read it again. It doesn’t really make sense, but then it is typical God-sense, like the last shall be first, or the weak shall be strong. Those who stumble are armed with strength!
In this scripture it is referring to a battle, and yet the soldiers who are stumbling are stronger than those who have bows and arrows! Those who have God as their true foundation of strength can stumble all they want and still be armed with a strength that is only available through Him.
Next time you are feeling dizzy, recall this verse. “Those who stumble are armed with strength.” It is a short little verse, easy to remember. And rather than feeling ashamed of your dizziness or fearful of that feeling, say to yourself, “Those who stumble are armed with strength.”
When you are feeling dizzy know that God is arming you at that very moment with strength that all the “well-balanced” people around you aren’t sharing in. We may not be given balance–but God is giving us strength. And He always provides us with exactly what He thinks we need. It gives a new outlook on the times we are feeling dizzy, doesn’t it?
Prayer: Lord, when I start feeling dizzy I quickly look for something to hold on to so that I can stand firm and stay balanced. Remind me that You are always my real foundation, and when I begin to feel dizzy You are arming me with strength at that very moment.
About the author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and she lives in San Diego with her husband and son. She is gradually learning how to balance motherhood, family, illness, and ministry, but she still knows it will be a lifetime lesson. You can see the books she has written, including, Why Can’t I Make People Understand? at the Rest Ministries shop.
Do you ever start feeling dizzy? What emotions do you have when you lose your balance or stumble? How does it change your perspective knowing that God is arming you with strength at that very moment?
What is your solid rock that helps you stand? When my husband (Lisa’s) and I first started dating in the early nineties,one of the first tapes he sent me was of 4Him. Here they are singing, “The Solid Rock.” Can’t see the video? If you are reading this in your email click the title to go to the website to watch the video.
Thank you so much for this devotional. Our RA, balance and medication issues are similar. I’ve had knee replacements and shoulder surgeries, but I’ve never known anyone else that shares my foot issues until now. I Samuel 2:4 will be added to my list of favorite verses. God bless you, Lisa, and my prayers are with you. Linda
Ah, Linda, I am both sorry and comforted you understand so well.
hi lisa, thanks for the last two dd. they have touched me in a very deep way. I guess God planned it that way. Thanks for rest min. i know it must be hard for you at times to keep doing it – but i am so blessed by your ministry. love from me, rhonda in australia
may God continue give you strength.
,As one whose chronic condition is CONSTANT DIZZINESS 24/7 and for 30 years. I can attest that is is ONLY God’s strength that keeps me going. The vestibular dysfunction hit with a virus that did damage to all three of my balance centers; inner ear, eyes and brain stem.
This came on when I turned over in bed one morning in March of 1983 – what a shock. I have been through every therapy that exists for this but with all 3 centers affected, nothing has worked. God sustains.
I could not look at a computer screen up until 2000 without it causing me to go into a vertigo spin. I have had to give up many beloved activities as they trigger the same spinning. I was able to desensitize to a small computer screen when my step sister sent me a used computer. It was tough but God helped and now my small laptop is my best friend and it a connection to the outside world – and although it is hard to sit up without the dizziness intensifying, I can lie on my couch and let the pillow hold my head while I type. When standing, my brain does not get the message that it knows where I am in space. I can feel the floor by internally I am in a constant fight to try to keep my balance.
For sure God is my strength. For sure He is my only balance physically, mentally and emotionally.
I do not remember how it feels NOT to be dizzy!
Lynn
Thanks Lisa, sounds tough for you. Thanks for a great devotional, as usual!!
Oh my…..I understand dizziness, but not to the extent of constant daily dizziness like you Lynn. YUK!!!!
Have my dear MIL’s funeral on Thur 11:30am (our time in Aust) & loud music sends my body into dizziness & I collapse. Also perfumes & aftershaves etc send my body into dizziness, headaches & nausea. It will be a big funeral (lots of perfumes etc) in a very big chapel with a loud organ & many dear Christian friends & family singing “How Great Thou Art” with great gusto…..should be a celebration for sure. However, as they stand I’m likely to collapse! Middle son also will suffer greatly from perfumes etc as he has same probs! Appreciate any prayers as led. Thanks! Lotsoluv Kerryn
My heartfelt condolences, Kerryn – such a hard loss of a dear woman in your life. Prayers for all of your family.
May a mantle of God’s Presence and protection from these side effects you and your son experience be evident as all of you gather to honor your mother-in-law. May only the intensity of the celebration of her life leak through and allow you to be fully there in these moments.
Hugs -
Lynn
Oh, hugs Lynn! Thanks for your sweet & thoughtful comments. I’ll be hanging onto “those who stumble are armed with strength”…..if the brain fog can find it somewhere in the memory!! LOL! Lotsoluv Kerryn
WONDERFUL THAT I STUMBLED ONTO THIS SITE. HAD RA SINCE 16. NOW 41. NO ONE SEEMS TO UNDERSTAND. BATTLING WITH SOMETHING CALLED BASILAR INVAGINATION WHICH CAUSES CONSTANT DIZZINESS AND UNSTEADY WALK. SO FRUSTRATED. TRY TO KEEP POSITIVE. TWO YEARS SEPERATED FROM HUSBAND AND RAISING 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ALONE IN A STATE WITH NO FAMILY. HAVE TRIED TO TALK WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS DEALT WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM IN NECK BUT UNSUCCESFUL. THANKFUL THOUGH FOR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND CHURCH FAMILY. COULDN’T HAVE KIDS BUT GOD BLESSED WITH CHILD. ONLY REASON TRY TO KEEP GOING IS FOR GOD AND CHILD. OTHERWISE WOULD BE HOPELESS. THANKFUL TO STILL BE ALIVE.
Tijuanna – thank you for sharing your story.
You have been handed a lot to deal with, not only physically but now you face being separated from your husband and having to depend on God’s strength for both you and your daughter.
Do go through the other articles and subscribe so you get the daily devotionals coming to your email box. Each day you will find inspiration from others who do know the world of having a constant condition that drains both physical and emotional energy.
It all brings us back to knowing God’s faithfulness will hold us steady even when we feel so weak.
God bless you!
Do write again and comment once you start receiving the daily inspiration.
We are here for you!
Love,
Lynn
Dear Tijuanna, I echo Lynn’s words.
I, like you, am so very thankful I was led to this site. Somewhere that others understand me & people with deep faith, through suffering trials. You sure have had a lot to deal with. Praise God that you have deep faith & your dear daughter. If you join the “Sunroom” you can chat to many people who will understand what you’re going through & pray with you. Lifting you up to God now for His best care. Hugs. Lotsoluv Kerryn