Diabetes and Spirituality

I have learned that I am powerless over many things and that I have to accept things that I cannot control while remembering that I have a measure of control in my own actions. I am powerless over my emotions at times, and I can fight long and hard against feeling, but it won't matter one whit to my life if that's all I do because I do not believe i was meant to fight without rest in this life.

I believe that I can be a positive force by sharing where I'm really at as opposed to where I'd like to be some day so that when I arrive at some state I imagine to be ideal, those who have walked this path with me will recognize that all experience is weighted by opposing forces of which none can claim dominance.

I believe that there may not be a reason for everything that happens, but that I can give what happens a reason (and by that, I mean logic). I believe that there is much in this universe that is inexplicable, and that there is a common force uniting all living beings to do the best they can with what they have available to them, and that there are times when I am compelled by this universal sense of life to lean on another shoulder or to be leaned upon, but that in the end, I must stand on my own.

I believe that there is a complex interrelation between events, outcomes, behavior, perspectives, occurances, communication, timing which is deliberate, but I don't exactly know what the deliberation is or how it works. As Emerson (I think) said, "Heaven and hell are beneath my feet..." I believe that I must acknowledge both, or lose my step.

So...spirituality...yes, I practice it...for me, it's more a matter of curiosity. As in, to be spiritual, for me and no one else, is a state of curiosity.

I have been raised in a Christian church my whole life, but I didn't actually begin a personal relationship with God until I was eight years old. I didn't really feel very different at first. But then, just a few months later, I was diagnosed with T1D. I almost didn't make it, and that's when I really started to feel connected to God.

Since that time over seven years ago, I have grown in my relationship with God. I seriously can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't have Him. Even during times when just something little is bothering me, I know that I can ask Him for help. When my blood sugars are running high, I talk to God and ask Him to help me understand what is wrong and get my blood sugars down. On days when I'm just feeling lonely (for whatever reason, not just because of diabetes) I know that He is there for me and I can just have a chat with Him.

As for those times when I wonder "why me?" I remember that God is not the one who gave me diabetes. Although He knew that I would be diagnosed, I don't believe that He gave it to me.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' "

So, while I do believe that He knows the plans for me, I don't believe He gave me diabetes to make me suffer. I also believe that I will be healed one day. Whether that may be through a new cure or by miracle, I believe that He will make it happen one day. My parents, grandma, and I, as well as other people from my church pray for my healing.

I know that, although there will be hard times ahead, God will help me get through them.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:13. This has kind of become my life verse. It helps me remember that he is helping me through everything.

So, yes, I would definitely say that God has helped me tremendously with my management of diabetes, as well as the rest of my life. And I believe that, if there is a cure someday He will, ultimately, be responsible.

 

|†~*Sarah*~†|

This is so interesting.  I love hearing how our diagnoses affect us, either one way or the other - or not at all.  Disease and ideas about God's role in humankind's activities have always been very closely associated.  Keep them coming!