Hypothyroidism - a Blessing!

I slept 12 hours last night and I actually feel rested. Monday night I slept 11 hours and still felt tired. My last blog post, I explained some of how the thyroid works and how every cell in the body needs the thyroid hormones to function properly. I don’t know if I was trying to teach people about the thyroid as much as I was trying to convince myself why I am so tired right now. It’s hard when we realize we can no longer physically do what we use to be able to do.  I’m really not that old, so in my mind I can still get by on 6 hours of sleep and have energy to do anything I want during the rest of my 24 hours. It can be a humbling process when you realize that is no longer true.

Today as I lay here in bed before getting up, I came to a striking realization. A friend wrote on her blog about obeying God, passing the test of faith, and giving God total control in every area of our lives. I realized today that I have not given Him control in the area of my life where my hypothyroidism is concerned. I have been trying to take care of it myself, yes, I take my medicine, and I watch what water I drink but I have been fighting the sleep issue. I try to get by on as little sleep as possible. I know that sounds funny after telling you I just slept so much the past 2 nights but it is true. Many times I will not go to bed even though I’m tired just because it isn’t even dark outside – Monday night I was asleep by 7pm. Last evening I took a nap from 7 – 8 pm.

God has allowed the hypothyroidism into my life; I don’t know why but I truly believe He is going to use it to 1. teach me something or many things (this is already happening) and 2. use it to bless me and/or someone else.  I have a friend whose daughter has been ill for most of her life with a devastating disease, yet she is a beautiful girl, inside and out.  She doesn’t look at her illness as a roadblock but as a stepping stone to better things.  She is a true inspiration to many.

So I am no longer going to look at my hypothyroidism as a burden but rather as a blessing that God is going to use for His glory!

Til next time!

Linda

Depending on God

Had a great time Saturday; went to a family reunion and a grad party for my niece.  She just graduated from Slippery Rock University.  Congrats Beth!  We love you!

The family reunion was for my mom’s side of the family.  It was so good to see aunts, uncles and cousins that I haven’t seen in a few years.  (We hadn’t been to a reunion in a few years due to one reason or another.)  I was fortunate to have some great conversations with some cousins.

One was especially meaningful to me.  My cousin J was telling me how he came about getting his current job.
He had placed an application with one company and really wanted the job.  It was a better job, more money and better hours.  He had prayed about it but didn’t get the job.  This made him angry with God and he told God he was upset.  God then turned it around so that J could see it from God’s point of view (I’m paraphrasing here).  All of this made J realize he needed to keep trusting and depending on God to provide what J needed.  A year or so later, J applied for the same job with a different company.  He had an interview and was told he would hear something by Friday.  Monday came and he still hadn’t heard anything yet.   He said he had made up his mind to trust God and if God didn’t want this job for him, that was okay with him.
Turns out he got the job… he said he felt God was testing him to see if he would really trust God.  He also stated if he had gotten the original job, he would have been out of a job a year later.  God knows what is best for us.

This got me to thinking about my situation; no job even though I have applied and had interviews.  Maybe God wants me to learn to wait on Him and depend fully on Him.  He does promise in Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Sometimes what we consider a need is really a want and that is why we never get it.

I’m going to work hard on depending on God for my needs.  It’s not going to be easy; I tend to be too independent-as my hubby puts it-I give things to the Lord then take them back. I need to break the habit
I have an Aunt who once told me that she prays about everything – even something as simple as what to have for lunch and super each day.  That is total trust and faith in God.  I pray to reach that point one day; I’m going to start now…won’t you come along on my journey?

Til next time!
Linda

P.S. Discussion time: Do you depend on God for your needs? Comment below…