This year is going to be different though. This year I have a new plan. One thing God has been teaching me over the past few years in my battle for my health is that I am not in control. On more than one occasion, God has allowed me to get to a point where I have nothing left I can do but rely on Him. You would think that after just a time or two I would have gotten the message loud and clear. Instead this is a lesson I continue to learn and actually may be learning the rest of my life. See it's been somewhat easy to call out and surrender when I feel like I am literally on deaths door step. But what about when I am battling with procrastination, or not eating the cake, or taking my medication? I realized that I was learning to rely on God for the big things but the little things I took upon myself and when I didn't succeed, I either had a million excuses or a thousand negative things to say about myself and my failure. Here is an example.
I have continued to search for things I could do to help me get well. What haven't I tried? Are there any new treatments out there? Every time I have brought something up my husband has gently reminded me that I haven't done the most basic of things my doctors have instructed me. Things like drink plenty of water, use the sauna daily, take my pills, and most importantly....CHANGE MY DIET! I know many of you probably are probably thinking it is crazy and just plain stupid that I did not do something so seemingly simple that may have made me feel better. Believe me, it is not for lack of trying. I have tried, repeatedly, numerous times a year since my diagnosis and have had no success. The problem is each attempt has been fueled strictly by my own will power. I was not taking the time to give the issue to God, to ask for His power to help me be successful in my attempt. Will power was not my only issue. I struggled with negative self talk and thoughts and knew I needed to changed the way I thought. I was learning more about the mind, body, spirit connection but wanted to make sure that what I was reading wasn't crossing any lines of what the Bible said.
Just about a month ago I heard a little blurb about this thing called The Daniel Plan. I figured I should at least check it out. To my surprise it seemed to be everything I was looking for and needed. A Bible based plan, that focused on the health of the whole body. It basically said my eating habits, exercise, thoughts, relationships and focus on God were all connected to each other. They all affected each other and success in living a healthier life and becoming the healthiest person I could be was not only my desire but God's desire for me but I had to give up control.
So here I am with a new year and a new plan. To add to my excitement about the year ahead is the fact that there are some a few promising treatments for Lyme and related conditions that I haven't tried. (It is now really considered MCIDS or multi chronic infectious disease syndrome). Going to Tijuana to have a procedure that heats my blood up to 108 F is one of them, but more on that later. In any case, I am really trying to focus on being positive about putting my illness into remission this year. Even though the research shows I will have this disease forever and I have tried to come to terms with that I have recently realized that is not true. Some day I will have a new residence in heaven and I will no longer be sick. So I am choosing to view my illness and any trial I face for that matter in a new light, and really in the truth that it is temporary.
The Daniel Plan itself is a 40 day program which will hopefully help build life long habits. I am hoping to do my best to blog about my journey. I definitely encourage you to check out The Daniel Plan if becoming a healthier you is on your list of to do's. If you are doing the plan and would like to join our support group on Facebook for extra encouragement let me know. Here's to a healthy and happy 2014.
