Why Do I Keep Stressing?

OK, here goes. I feel like the biggest hypocrite in the world because I explain all of these ways to de-stress and I hardly do them myself. When I first discover them, I do them faithfully. Just as many of us are with diet and exercise programs, though, I fade out. It's such a horrible habit, though. Stressing robs us all of so much and we gain absolutely nothing from it. It keeps us from getting things done, eating right, losing weight, keeping awake enough hours in each day, and doing well at our jobs. For the Fibromyalgia patient, it keeps us from feeling good. So there it is! I've confessed to all of you. I have to turn this boat around now. From now on, quiet time with God, exercise, and meditation are musts! Let's keep each other accountable guys!

Hebrews 12:10-11
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Isn't that the truth?!
I am making a commitment to live a more disciplined life and be better to myself. Worrying all of the time is a sin that many of us with Fibromyalgia commit. It will be hard to stop this habit and start new ones, but I believe our rewards will definitely outweigh the pain of our lifestyle change.

Fibromyalgia: Ups and Downs

Do you ever feel like you're an emotional basketcase? I've heard I'm not the only one... I feel like a crazy person with no patience or grace. Does anyone else out there feel this way? Anyway, I notice that the more I exercise, the less mood swings I'll have. Trust me. I know how difficult it is to exercise with this terrible disease, but if you do it when you're feeling emotional there is a definite payoff. It doesn't have to be traditional exercise either. A lot of people aren't into that sort of thing. Raking leaves and cleaning the house are a couple of activities that have to be done anyway and give you plenty of exercise. Why is this good for your mood? It helps to release endorphins. Us Fibromyalgia patients can use all of the endorphins we can get.

What other way can you help your moodiness when you're going crazy with the fibro ups and downs? Watch a really sad movie or something and just let yourself have an all-out cry. Trust me, it helps!

Another suggestion:
Laying down on your back, put a pillow over your face and let out a few huge screams and imagine negative energy leaving your body. For extra release, do the "biking" movement with your legs in the air at the same time.


Psalm 37:24
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

We will all fail to keep our cool time and time again. It's important that we remember this verse and ask Him for forgiveness for our transgressions.

Blessings,

Michelle

Fibromyalgia Diet

I'm back! I've been busy working for the hubby lately. I wanted to let any fellow sufferers know about my new quest for wellness though. I have started a diet for Fibromyalgia and I'm really serious about it this time. I think I had to just realize what was affecting me badly and see some evidence. WebMD has an article about 7 foods to avoid when if you have this disease. Here are the 7 deadly foods:
1. Aspartame
2. Food additives
3. Sugar, fructose, and simple carbohydrates-- I eliminated all carbohydrates since rice still gives me a bad reaction.
4. Caffeine-- tea doesn't really seem to bother me
5. Yeast and Gluten
6. Dairy--- I just avoid drinking milk and eating lots of cheese. Eggs don't bother me.
7. Nightshade Plants: Tomatoes, chili and bell peppers, potatoes, and eggplant----This is what helped me figure out what I always did wrong. I kept on eating tomatoes and peppers. Now I know better!

So this is day 3 and I'm not having crazy cravings. Yey! Oh- and obviously it's way more than just 7 foods- more like 7 types of foods or groups of foods. Let me know what you think.

Great Bible Verse I Read This Morning

I wanted to share a bible verse I read this morning that might help some of those who are thinking, "Why did I get sick?" "What did I do wrong?" The Word says people who are sick are most of the time not sick because of their sins or their ancestor's sins. Please read below:

"Rabbi," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?"...Jesus answered, "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins. This happened so the power of God could be seen in him." -John 9: 1-3

So maybe we are sick to show others how we persevere with God's help. Maybe we will take place in something that will help many. Our illnesses could also be a witnessing tool and it could help people feel more comfortable with us- knowing that we're not perfect. Who knows? Only God does. He has a purpose in all of this. We just have to keep the faith and realize that God's in control.

Fear and Fibromyalgia

I don't think I'm alone when I say I have a problem with letting fear get to me. The U.S. credit rating just got downgraded. Millions of people are still without jobs. Many more have taken a pay cut. I think that we should all just calm down, though, because the bible explains that worrying isn't going to help anything. I'm watching the Republican Debate tonight on FOX in an objective way as a future voter. I'm not going to let any of the program make me lose sleep or get too fired up. Hopefully more of U.S. citizens will join me in this viewpoint and take a stance as a Christian.
On another note, I've been out of commission when it comes to blog writing since we were moving around for the past month. I'm proud to say we're back in our Houston area home to stay. Yey!

Helpful bible verses:

Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Blessings to everyone!

Inspirational Christian Song

I think this is a beautiful song by Casting Crowns. "The Voice of Truth" speaks volumes. This video also has verses associated with it. If you find a hard time meditating, try listening to this song and reading the verses. This song is so soothing and can be in your head all day long as you start to get depressed, angry, feel defeated, or have any other negative emotions. The song really touches my heart.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwsvqVmFV6Y

What does the song/video do for you?

Fibromyalgia: Has it made your faith grow strong or weak?

When I was first diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, I was very angry with God. How could he put me through this? I haven't had a chance to have kids, my poor husband is now stuck with a disabled person for the rest of his life, I worked so hard in school to get a good career, and the list went on from there and seemed never-ending. Before I was diagnosed, though, I must say that I had little faith in God about all that was going well in my life. I had met a wonderful God-fearing man, we were financially stable (when I was only 22), we had just bought our first home, and the list of great things went on and on. I was still negative at the time, though. -And I definitely thought that I had done all of these great things, not God. Sometimes I wonder if I became ill in order to become more faithful and remain a servant of God. Maybe it was a test, I sometimes wonder. Who knows why we all fell ill with this disease called Fibromyalgia. All we can do is try to remain positive and learn about how people the bible talks about dealt with situations that are similar.

What a wonderful God we have -- He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does He do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. -(2 Corinthians 1: 3-4) TLB

Maybe we go through our struggles so we can be better witnesses. I know this: God has a purpose for our suffering. There have been many who have suffered in the bible and we tell their stories still today. Just turn to Him, read His Word, and find some peace in Him. This always works for me. I know, Satan usually has one way or another to keep us from reading the bible. Stay strong, though, and read at least one verse a day. It will help you!