Why I Trust God With My Health
This blog post has been a long time coming. Too long. It’s hard to pour your heart out to hundreds of thousands of strangers, you know? But it’s worth the inevitable backlash to be able to share the most important part of my healing journey and my life.
However… a quick disclaimer that if you don’t agree with my views, I completely accept and respect that! I’m using this blog as a space that I created to share my views on God and reading my views are totally optional. No hard feelings if you’d rather just take some recipes and skip anything else.
Now, I won’t lie to you and tell you that I’ve had it the very worst run with my health. I’m fortunate compared to so many of my friends and acquaintances who have had it worse. But it hasn’t been easy. No one really has it easy for one reason or another. My hashimoto’s made me incredibly fatigued, I lost my hair, it made me socially isolated. My gut issues made me even more socially isolated, took away so many of my favorite foods and activities that I once enjoyed, and contributing to me feeling like crap for a huge percentage of my time of this Earth. It could always be worse, but it’s not easy.
When you can’t always trust doctors, you feel like you can only trust yourself. Like healing is all in your hands and all other authorities have left you. You ask, “why is this happening to me?” “Who can I trust?”. Even in the hardest moments, my answer has been God. Even when I felt like everything I ate made me sick, and I didn’t understand why such a bad thing could happen to me, I still trusted God.
The question that I know a lot of people have is why? And how? That’s why I wanted to share Why I trust God with my health. Even in the hopeless moments, and even when I don’t understand, and why it’s the most important part of my health journey.
Why I Trust God With My Health
First, I recognize that perfect health does not exist.
One of my favorite verses is…
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
– John 16:33.
So, what does that mean? One of the biggest misconceptions is that when we start following God and living like Christ, everything is perfect and we live a blessed life. If God is on our side, nothing can go wrong, and all it takes is a quick prayer to get us out of a sticky situtation. Like a helicopter parent bailing a 13 year old out of some trouble. We’ve all heard that mentality, right? Maybe even believed it. When in reality, that’s far from the truth.
We’re never promised a perfect life… whether we follow God or not. Original sin has made it to where we will have problems in this world. We will experience pain, we may get sick no matter how healthy of a lifestyle we live, and we will all experience death. No free passes are guaranteed and nobody gets one. Of course there’s a spectrum of what struggles people face, but none of us are immune to struggles in general.
The point is that even though we all experience trouble in this world because of sin, Jesus has overcome the sins of the world by taking them on himself. Even if we have troubles in this world that are painful, unfair, and completely confusing, there is a world beyond this one, and hope in a God that has overcome this one.
Whenever I feel hopeless with my own health or life, I remember that this life isn’t meant to be perfect, but that God provides salvation.
I also recognize that I can’t do it all and don’t understand it all.
The question always arises, “How could God allow “x” to happen?”. First, I always refer to the verse above, and second, we don’t always have the answer for that. We just don’t know why everything happens. I don’t understand why certain things happen, and I don’t claim that I know how to fix it. But I have chosen to trust God even when I don’t understand. For more reading on that, I love this article from Lee Strobel.
We all want to have it all figured out. Especially with our health. We endlessly Google, listen to podcasts, buy books, and even go to schools ourselves. The answer to perfect health has to be out there right? It’s just not that easy.
I’ve accepted that I will never fully understand every inner working of my body at every given moment. No one has it all figured out. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do what’s in our power to learn more and strive for better health. Clearly, I work on my own health and help others do the same. But, it’s important to remember that we’ll never have it all figured out… it also takes trust.
Personal relationships are about trust and faith… and that’s not always easy.
God isn’t this lofty man in the sky in a white robe sitting on a throne that we can’t come anywhere near knowing. A personal relationship with God is possible, and it’s what God wants with us. Through prayer, through reading His word, and through striving to be like Him, we can form that relationship.
And with any relationship, there’s a certain element of not knowing 100%… you just have to trust.
For example… my husband, Daniel, is super creative and loves making home improvements. From installing vintage light fixtures, to mixing and pouring his own concrete, to ripping out the bathroom tile on a moments notice, he does it all. A lot of the time he’ll give me a quick rundown of his vision, and I just don’t really see it working. Regardless, I choose to trust him and have faith that he’ll do the best he can… and he always does.
Clearly, that’s only a very small example of trust in our relationship. Trust can be as small as trusting your friend to make dinner reservations, or trusting a spouse to be in it with you for a lifetime. Every time you get behind the wheel of a car you’re trusting the drivers around you to not crash into you. No matter the situation, life always take a certain amount and trust and blind faith.
The same thing goes for a relationship with God. Even when I’m stepping back looking at my life or my health as a mid-remodel bathroom in shambles with broken tiles, and dust, I still have to trust that in the end it will all come together. Trust is never easy. We want to be in control and see the outcome before it happens. But even when we feel our most of out control, in one way or another, it always works out.
Nothing gives me more comfort or purpose than my relationship with God.
Just like any personal relationship always takes work and trust can waiver, the same goes for a relationship and trust in God. It’s a journey and process.
However, nothing gives me more comfort than that relationship with Him. In both life, and in the health space, we so often stumble for answers. We jump from different protocols, different diets, different fitness regimens, looking for the answer and looking for a way to make us feel good and worthy. Here’s the thing… these things are necessary, but nothing will ever give as much comfort and purpose to me than a relationship with God and the knowledge that even though this health journey is hard, and that trouble will constantly exist around ever single turn, He has overcome the world.
Thank you for reading to this super personal post! I hope that it can help you along whatever tough spot you’re currently in, or give you some fresh insight.
So glad to have read this post. This is such a great perspective to have on your personal health! It’s so refreshing to see a blogger with her priorities and her trust in the right place! You rock! -Melissa
Thank so much, Melissa!! It’s always hard to be personal, but I just can’t tell my full story without sharing HUGE piece.
Thanks for sharing! My testimony is similar. Want to share a quote I came across from another blogger with chronic illness: ““in my own strength, pain-free and healthy, I am Pride and Self-Sufficiency and The Greatest People Pleaser. But here, in the throes of weakness, I am forced into postures of humility and dependency upon God. This brokenness has surfaced every cranky, weary, impatient, mean, insecure, fearful, shortsighted aspect of my character. So I cry out to Him. And I find Him.” Not sure if you can relate to this, but I sure can!
I love, love, love that! So powerful. Thank you for sharing, Madison <3
Hi Madison. Sounds like you and I have a lot in common. Just wanted to reach out and say you are definitely not alone.
I’m so encouraged by your courage and faithfulness Michelle! I am suffering from chronic fatigue (this is my 8th year) so can totally relate with you. Without God I would have no hope or purpose for every day (one’s which often seem so tough and similar to the last). May God get all the glory through our journey’s … continue shining for Him!
I’m so glad it was helpful, Sam! Praying for your continued healing <3
I love this! Reminds me of this quote I came across recently.
“That we should surrender ourselves in things temporal and in things spiritual, entirely and with complete abandonment to God and take our happiness in doing as He wills whether He leads us by suffering or by consolation, for they are all the same to the soul truly resigned to His will.”
– Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God
Love this!! Thank you for sharing, Alan!!
I’m so encouraged by your testimony and your willingness to share your faith journey with God! After walking closely with Christ for 35 yrs. and enjoying good health along the way, life threw me an unexpected curve ball! I was sick for a year before being diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis. My body continually deteriorated until I almost died in May. But Christ kept holding me close to His heart, filling me with His peace, and is walking me through this valley and into recovery. My doctors are amazed at how my body is healing. Thank you so much for the nutritional information and the spiritual encouragement! I have radically changed my diet to an AIP protocol. I purposefully pull aside to spend time in quiet meditation, prayer, and rest. The doctors on my case are so amazed at my progress and recognize a supernatural hand in my recovery, please keep being bold about sharing the most important part of a healing journey…..your relationship with your Creator …..the one Who loves you unconditionally and will never leave you!
Thank you so much for sharing your personal journey of faith. I have walked with Christ for 35 yrs. in relatively good health until life threw me an unexpected curve ball about a year ago. I was sick for a year before almost dying in May and finally being diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis. If it were not for Christ holding me close to His heart during this dark season, I would not be here today. I have radically changed my diet to an autoimmune protocol diet and regularly set aside time for rest, meditation, and prayer. My doctors are amazed at the healing that is taking place in my body and they recognize a supernatural hand in it! One doctor told me “It is only by the grace of God that you have not lost your eyesight or something worse!” During my darkest and scariest times, Jesus would comfort me and hold my head against His heart reassuring me of His presence and love.
Please continue to be bold in sharing the most important part of healing…… a personal relationship with the Creator who loves us unconditionally and will never leave us! Thank you!
Thank you so, so much for sharing your heart and your story! <3 It is so amazing that God has brought you to this point. Praying for continued healing and health for you.
I love this. You are totally correct in your reference as to who God is. A lot of people view him as a bellhop and just someone to go to when they need or want something.
I’m 66 and it’s possible I might not get healed from all my autoimmune issues until I die and go to heaven. That’s ok. I can do whatever I need to now, at this time. Whatever the Lord leads me to do. I’m glad you aren’t afraid to talk about your relationship with God. He is where I place my trust, then my very supportive husband.
Thank you so much, Sarah!! I LOVE your heart and totally feel you. No matter what happens in this life, we are healed in the next <3
Love love love this. Very encouraging to see more people share openly about their faith. I appreciate all the hard work you do and look forward to learning more about autoimmune issues through your site and lovely new podcast (I have Hashimotos). I am looking forward to Feb 2018 when the winter session for the NTP program opens up in the Midwest! I can hardly wait to start classes!! I have a long history of health issues and I truly believe that the Lord has brought me to this place & time for a reason. My hope is to be able to help others live a longer, healthier, happier life and I am happy I finally found a career to combine all my passions together 🙂
Thank you so much, Amy!! So happy the Lord has called you to this special little tribe <3
xoxox
This is beautiful! I love it! I feel the same way…as believe me I struggle…always saying OK Lord…You have me attention…I’m with you!!! I do always believe I will get better when its his Will not mine.
Thank you for sharing your heart and risking that vulnerable part of you, Michelle!
Thank you so much for blogging! I needed to read this!
So glad it resonated with you, Lea!
That was a beautiful read. So glad I came across it and so glad I have a ton of your recipes saved
God brought me to this article- I have Hashimotos also, along with Bipolar disorder and I have been wrestling with God a lot lately. This really helped. Thank you so much, blessings to you! – Dora
Amen! Thank you for your personal post. Faith in God and our Lord Jesus Christ will see us through any battle! Thanks again for sharing!