“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” (1 Timothy 5:23)
During a recent doctor visit I told my doctor: “I don’t need another problem.” He replied: “I know.”
Additional illnesses and extra diagnoses are things we do not want. If you are like me, you really just want the affliction merry-go-round to stop. I’m guessing that you feel exactly the same as I do when additional illnesses are added to the scale of your already overburdened affliction account.
My “extra” illness is diabetes. I’ve been non-diabetic, pre-diabetic, and now am diagnosed diabetic. I have packet to carry around to check my blood with, and an additional medication, and one more thing to worry about.
Sometimes you feel like you have “paid your dues.” You have had your share of suffering, you have done your time in the prison of affliction, and need a reprieve or a complete pardon. Life is not fair, that is the most difficult pill we have to swallow, it is the hard reality we face. As our our list of afflictions grow, we can find ourselves lacking the resources to meet the obligations our afflictions cast upon us.
Pray, pray, pray, every Christian with their own list of afflictions must take that long list before the Lord. I’ve said more than once that I have no idea how those who do not call upon the Lord can survive chronic and continual afflictions. Prayer energizes us, gives us hope, peace and strength. Prayer reminds us we do not carry our burdens alone. And prayer puts into motion the resources from above that we will need to endure and overcome and simply survive affliction.
My fellow Christians, my brothers and sisters in affliction, let us encourage one another in the Lord, and lift each other up in prayer. We do not walk alone in our afflictions, and we are not without help. Let us continually remind each other of this truth. For the Lord is our strength and help in affliction.
Prayer: Dear Lord, as added burdens come, give us added grace, peace, and strength. Amen.
About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He depends upon God’s grace for all the afflictions in his life.
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How do you handle extra diagnosis’s and added burdens of affliction?
I had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was just two years old. And then around the time of my 40th birthday, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Fibromyalgia followed about a year later. I realized that my body had been under attack for a very long time and that additional diagnoses were just a natural part of aging for me. I certainly am not happy about having even more to deal with, but I am so grateful for the level of health I do have. I know that my situation could always be worse, and I celebrate the abilities and the good days I do have rather than focusing on what I don’t have. I am determined to make the most of my life.
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Autoimmune Disease five years ago. Then drug-induced lupus, later to find out it was not that, but something to do with my nerves.(In the process of seeing a Neurologist). During all this process I started having bladder spasms and was diagnosed with Intercystial cystitis….Oh, did I mention I had a gallbladder attack??…But God is so so good! I have prayed and prayed to find out what was causing my issues and for God to help me fix them. HE ANSWERED! Between my Family Dr., who is a fellow brother in Christ, and my strength thru God, after six months…I feel 90% better! I still have the 10%, but oh Lord, I am so blessed! I am at peace with my ailments, and will work hard to keep them under control! PRAY PRAY PRAY!! God will give you the answers, open his word, follow it, and it will come!
Thank you this devotion. It will help me to get my day off to a good start!
Tina, Jill, Cheryl, thank you ladies for sharing your thoughts!
Blessings.
Karlton
Wow, I thought I was the only one. I started with Chronic Pelvic Pain six years ago and within the last year I have developed two more undiagnosed chronic health issues (Vulvodynia and back/thoracic pain). I definitely think that what causes one problem will inevitably cause another. Through perseverance and hours of research, I’ve learned to manage my pain through diet and physical therapy. Wish there was some kind of miracle cure but it does give me comfort to know I’m not the only one 🙂
Hotsun, wouldn’t it be nice to see that work in reverse? Illnesses disappearing rather than appearing one by one?
Blessings.
Karlton
Hello, brothers and sisters,
I appreciate the article written about multiple illnesses. I find it interesting that we are talking about autoimmune illnesses feeding on one another. Diabetes and heart disease are part of this cycle too. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in 2001 and Ulcerative Colitis in 2004. In 2009, I was diagnosed with hyperlipidemia that was so off the charts that I could have a heart attack any second, even though my blood pressure and cholesterol were normal. Then they told me I had insulin resistance which is the precursor for diabetes. I’m only 41 years old. The medications were only making things worse. I knew I had to do something different or my life was going to be short. I got on my knees with conviction and asked, “Holy Spirit, send me a miracle and fast!” The next day began a three year process of learning how to heal from these conditions. They included a water fast, regular juicing, lots of rest, and a new lifestyle including diet. God sent me the right people at the right time. Because I opened my heart and had faith that this could change, I have received answers to why all of this is going on and am turning around from this cycle. I have also met others who have as well which always give me hope. Always have hope, my friends! Hope and have faith. Pray with conviction and all your heart and trust it will come to you. And if you feel that you would like to have more of a conversation, feel free to email me at michelecolchin@yahoo.com. Sending love to all of you and prayers. Thank you as well for your prayers.
I just read your post, Karlton,and all the comments. Just when I feel that I have been abandoned by God is when He always provides for me. I am today, really at the end ofmy rope. Depression, hopelessness, despair, pain in all forms seem to be the norm for me lately. The continuous piling up of afflictions just keep blindsiding me. I have no strength to cope with all of it. But all the posts are pure encouragement for my soul. I will pray and pray.
Thank you all for your faithfulness in the Lord, in spite of all that we deal with.
God bless ,
Patty D.
Thanks Patty. I pray your depression improves.
Blessings.
Karlton