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!

Words of Wisdom from The Bible

I was reflecting on some verses a couple days ago that I thought I'd share with you guys. I want to give my take on them. Feel free to post comments with your interpretations and/or stories that go along with them.

Do a favor and win a friend forever; nothing can untie that bond. Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest. Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit- you choose. -Proverbs 18: 19-21 (The Message Version)

Do you have any friendships that started out with a favor being done on either end? You probably do. You may or may not remember what that favor is, but there most likely was one. Personally, I sometimes forget how valuable having friends is. I get tied up with being on the internet too much or I'm in bed sick. It takes a really great person to put up with me.
I started to realize when reading this verse the other day that I had a big problem with myself when it came to the next couple of verses. Do you ever find yourself saying negative things about people to them or to your spouse or another loved one? Just because they may not tell anyone doesn't make it right at all. I should know. I can be very negative. Energy is never lost. It is simply transferred. Why am I bringing this up? Those negative words transfer themselves onto whomever you're telling them to. I know. We're all humans and we make mistakes all of the time- especially this one. Would it kill us to take a closer look at ourselves, though, and ask why we're not bringing these thoughts to God in prayer? He can do amazing things with negative energy if we just talk it out with him. I'm going to make a much stronger effort to do so after analyzing this verse. I know it can be difficult, but we must try.
What do you think about these verses? How do they speak to you?

Is Fibromyalgia Linked to a Virus like HIV? Please Read...

Does the virus XMRV ring a bell?
It didn't for me either. This is a retrovirus that latches onto your DNA. There are several articles about it that are more informative than I can be. Isn't that sort of scary? At least then we might be onto something as far as a cause for this disease is concerned.
Here is a great link to look at:
http://www.virology.ws/2009/10/15/xmrv-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/

Grocery Store Visit, My Bad Culinary Skills, and a Great Bible Verse about Learning

Ok...I have to level with you all. I have not been eating like I should lately. I've been doing it all- fast foods, fried foods, lots of bread... but I'm going to get back on track. I'm not the best cook, so the way I try to start out eating much healthier is making stirfry meals. I usually buy some fresh squash and zucchini. I go to the freezer isle and purchase frozen shrimp, lots of frozen broccoli, and frozen carrots. I also buy chicken from the produce area. These ingredients combined with salt, pepper, and olive oil can make a great healthy meal. I buy whole grain brown rice to get filled up. If you're like me, you probably need to start out easy. These meals are a great way to do it.

Pic from http://dianabanana510.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/food-food-everywhere-and-not-a-bite-to-eat/

I purchased some Hamburger Helper for when I feel like cheating and eating fast food. At least I'll have a side of green beans. Did you know that Hamburger Helper has some box meals that are gluten free? I picked up the cheesy hashbrowns box to try it and see if I felt different after eating it (compared to a regular box meal).
You know what I love? V8 V-fusion. I really like this drink because my husband hates veggies and it helps him to get what he needs. It's a little expensive, but for me it's worth the extra couple bucks. I notice that it helps me a little bit when it comes to my regularity- probably because veggies have fiber.
This post may not seem all that interesting, but this is me telling about my day at the grocery store.
I want to try some new recipes for Fibromyalgia, but I need to start out very easy since I never learned to cook. I'll update you on my culinary knowledge status from time to time on this blog.

Here's the bible verse of the day:

Proverbs 12: Whoever loves Discipline loves Knowledge, but he who hates correction is Stupid.

I'm using a bible verse about discipline and knowledge because I need to learn this essential skill. I know I'm not alone in this. Please, if you have easy recipes that are Fibro-friendly, post a comment.

What the Bible Says about Depression and Anxiety

Do you believe that God can conquer all? I certainly do. The bible is the most powerful weapon against Satan and bad thoughts and feelings. Do you suffer from depression or anxiety? A lot of people with Fibromyalgia suffer from these conditions, including me. It is an ongoing battle. Here are some bible verses that can help you cope with your depression and anxiety and maybe even forget about negative thoughts for a while!

Picture from http://portialwaysliterature.wordpress.com/

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psalm 37:23-24 (KJV)

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalm 37:3-4 (KJV)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 (KJV)

There are several more where that came from. I don't know about you, but when I spend time reading the bible I tend to get a feeling of peace from it. It doesn't last forever, but that's just a sign that I need to open my bible again and start reading God's Word. I wanted to end on that last verse in the book of John because we should take comfort in the fact that God has conquered the world. There is really nothing to fear if we just know that, accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives and follow God's Word to the absolute best of our ability. All of us Christians are supposed to try to be like Jesus. Do you think Jesus was depressed and worried all of the time? Of course not! He wouldn't have been able to do everything he did for us! Thank you Lord for sending Him as an example for us to follow!

Cravings and Fibromyalgia

I don't know about you fellow Fibromyalgia sufferers out there, but I have some cravings that are so strong sometimes. They are usually from sugar or carbs when I'm not even trying to stay away! I'm guessing this could mean that these foods are bad for me and I need to start eating better yesterday. This is easier said than done, but I need to do it. I've heard a lot about different diseases and conditions are much more tolerable on a low sugar and low carb diet. The trick is to remember to be conscious of what you're eating and to make sure to eat something every 3-4 hours. I grew up eating out a lot and that usually means doing the complete opposite of what I just described. If you too have problems in this area and can offer advice, please comment!

Just Found This interesting info about what you are craving and what you really need. Enjoy.

Bible Verse for Today:

And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. -Genesis 1:29


This is a verse I should really review and see if I live my life according to God's plan. So much temptation out there when it comes to food...

Reading and Sleeping

Ok, Ok, I know reading can sometimes give us who suffer from Fibromyalgia headaches. When you are feeling well, though, and just cannot sleep, try reading instead of watching television. It has been hard for me to break my habitual TV watching, but there are great health benefits when it comes to reading over watching television. First of all, reading really helps you sleep. It also can help you learn things while only a few channels do that these days. Also, you are forced to think more when you read.

When you are having headaches that make it more difficult to read, listen to an online sermon or an audio Bible online. This can help you sleep as long as the person's voice is not too dramatic. There are dramatic versions of audible bibles online also.

In the bible verse below, God explains to us that sleep is important. Although working all night and day without sleep may seem profitable, we will not get nearly as much done without sleep. We as humans become sluggish, make mistakes, and should not be behind the wheel when we don't get in our daily rest. Try some of the methods I mentioned above and see if you have any luck falling asleep faster.

"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep" (Psalm 127:2)

Careers for those with Fibromyalgia

Have you been denied of disability for one technical reason or another? You are not alone. Many people with this condition continue to go to work every day even though it makes them much sicker. Most people with this disease have to be able to have a lot of time off from work in order to keep their job due to constant flares.

First of all, a job that creates a lot of high-stress situations would not be good for a Fibromyalgia patient. Life, of course, always has its stresses that are unavoidable. Those aren't the ones I'm talking about. I'm just giving some advice to those of you who are thinking of taking on a position that will be accompanied by a lot of stress. Don't do it. It's hard enough for those of us with chronic pain to deal with stress to begin with. Try to find a job that is big on work-life balance. Ask around to see how people like working for the company before deciding to work there.

If you cannot be reliable enough for most employers that require physical attendance of their employees, you may want to consider remote positions. A lot of job sites highlight telecommuting as an option that you can check off in their advanced search options. You can also start working for yourself. Freelancing is very popular these days. The disadvantage to Americans, though, is that you are competing with people in 3rd world countries. The best freelancing area to be in is definitely writing. People that do not reside in the United States are going to have a harder time adapting to American readers. This is why many companies will pick an American writer over someone from another country because the quality is usually higher. One of the best sites for this is elance.com. There are several other sites you can get listed on and bid on projects. It would be wise of you to research certain terms like keywords, keyword density, and SEO before starting to bid on jobs. The best way to get definitions of words these days is to type in "define: 'the word'" and read all definitions. This will save you time. Dictionary.com is also a useful site for definitions. You can also become a freelance web designer. This takes talent and education, though. These two things take time to develop, so you might need to do some writing for a while first while you take continuing education courses related to web design and graphic design. Last of all, do not discount church groups when it comes to job networking. Let them know your skills and that you have to be able to work from home. You'd be surprised at the amount of small business owners that are ok with the idea of people working for them remotely.

Bible Verse of The Day:


“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 4:19

We have to trust that God will meet our needs even though it is hard to see that happening in our current situation. Be resourceful and educate yourself about opportunities. Try to keep a level head throughout the job transition or search process. God will see you though.   

Multitasking and the Fibromyalgia Patient

I don't know about you guys, but I find it really difficult to multitask since I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I think this must go along with stress management because it has to do with managing your thoughts and not getting overwhelmed. There are products that help people like me and you. There are several books and full out programs to help us stop sweating the small stuff. I am thinking of trying a few of the programs out. I don't have much to lose, but a lot to gain.

Here is our bible verse of the day:

Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest. (Luke 12:25-26)

Isn't that so true? Worrying takes away time from our lives. We cannot get that time back that we spent stressing about something. God is stressing here that we should all just do the best we can. He is also saying for us to be humble and recognize that we cannot even add an hour to the day, which would be a small thing for God to do. Instead, God wants us to pray for his help in the matter, organize our thoughts and do the best we can. I know it sounds so easy, but stressing and worrying are hard habits to break. Just keep praying to Him and you will succeed.

Bible Passage of The Day:


Psalm 27:4-5
One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock. (NIV)

Do you tend to seek God when you are dealing with the pain and trauma Fibromyalgia can cause? What about when you worry about money? I know I've done my fair share of that. If we trust God and truly seek him, we wouldn't worry about money, though. He will keep us safe if we just keep our eyes on Him. We get so used to feeling pain that we tend to look toward other things to help us feel better. I know I need to make it a point to pray any time I'm feeling weak or when I'm in pain. 

I sometimes listen online to this awesome preacher from Dallas, TX. His name is Tony Evans. One sermon I listened to was about how we can all be so stubborn in letting the spirit of Jesus Christ in our hearts. He was explaining how our souls are stubborn by nature because we have a sinful nature. We have to continuously keep ourselves in check by being in the Word and praying. 

You don't have to read to be in the Word, either. I know how reading a whole lot can tend to make me feel tired and/or give me headaches sometimes. You can always listen to sermons or listen to the bible online. There are several great pastors to listen to on this site and you can listen to different versions of the bible on the second site.

http://www.oneplace.com/

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/

I hope these links help you to stay in the Word! Blessings to all of you!

A Day at The Beach

After helping my hubby work on a huge project yesterday we had some much needed R&R this afternoon at the beach. It feels good to get out in the sun sometimes with Fibromyalgia. I feel like I can move around easier while in the water as well. Relaxation is so important for those of us that suffer chronic pain. Spending much needed time with our spouses is also important because many of us end up on different sleep schedules than them because we either sleep too much during the day one day or are going through one of the periods where we can't sleep at all. Oh, the roller coaster of fibromyalgia. My mother in law gave me some tea that has been helping me relax. It tastes a little weird but is fine if you add about a teaspoon of honey to it. It is called the dieter's tea? It is in a green box and says "Cali Girl Brand"...She said she got it at the dollar store. Go figure, it's cheap and it helps! You just have to know about it! This tea has helped me digest food better also. So many of us have problems with digestion. I kind of wonder if Fibro is caused by a virus that messes with our digestive system and in turn messes a lot of things up for us. I guess I'll have to wait a few years and continue reading about medical breakthroughs in it to find out...

Bible Verse of the Day:

Luke 4:38-39
Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house. But Simon's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. 


Don't ever forget to ask for God's help in dealing with this illness. Pray for a cure alongside me!

Meditation

Meditation can be great when it comes to helping us experience less harsh Fibromyalgia symptoms. Stress is a huge contributer to many diseases and illnesses, including FMS. God wants us to meditate in his presence. It is one of the things he wants us to do daily. I know that the day gets away from us sometimes or it seems difficult. Just try it by clicking a couple of the links I posted below. You can also meditate while enjoying soft music or during your quiet time.

Come away from the people. Be by yourselves and rest. -Mark 6:31 (NLV)

http://www.christian-meditation.com/onlineretreat.html

http://www.thechristianmeditator.com/ (scroll to the 7 minute free trial)

Enjoy these free minutes of peace and try to experience them regularly.

Dealing with Conflict

What does the bible say about dealing with conflict?
I feel like many of us with chronic pain are terrible at dealing with conflict, inluding me. I can get so wrapped up in negative thoughts sometimes. What should we all do when it is brought to our attention or we finally just realize that we are terrible at this? We should see what the bible says about dealing with our problems in a peaceful manner.
I believe that stress is one of the worst contributors to this disease! How do we get away from it though? We have more money problems than before, pain makes us all extremely impatient, and we lack some basic coping skills.
Before reading or listening to the bible, we should take deap breaths until we feel more calm and collected. This could take seconds or minutes. With our mind clearer, we read or listen to what the bible is telling us better. It is good to try to take notice of particular problems you are having and google them to see if they are talked about in the bible. Don't read hastily. I catch myself doing that a lot.
Let's all make a commitment to deal with our problems better by consulting the Lord about them. It seems easy, but Satan is around every corner trying to say that we don't need God's help, which is completely untrue.
I have been inspired by the Christian participant in this season's "Survivor" Matt Elrod. The way he deals with conflict is so amazing from what I've seen. I think he has been a wonderful witness for Christ.

Click to see what the bible says about dealing with conflict.

God bless everyone! I hope this was encouraging!

My dog Macy...

Seems like my little trooper is going to be OK. She came home with us on Monday night and has been looking better each day. You can't tell she was ever sick now. I'm so thankful that she made it!

1 Thessalonians 5:18Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

My dog Macy...

My dog Macy is at the 24 hour vet getting care right now. She has pancreatitis which has a 50% survival rate. She is really sick. She's not like other dogs. She will sacrifice her own comfort just to lay with you or be with you. She is like Lassie where she'll tell you things and is very smart. We have another dog too, but she is more my dog and he is more my husband's dog. I love them both, but she is probably my favorite because she just wants to make us happy so much. Please pray for me, my husband, and of course for Macy's recovery.
Thank You and God Bless!

Magnesium Citrate

Many of us who have fibromyalgia have major problems with our digestive system. Some of this is from the medicine prescribed for the disease, while a lot of it comes from the disease itself. Here is a low cost product that you can drink once every couple of weeks to cleanse your digestive system: magnesium citrate. It comes in liquid form and is very inexpensive. Try to eat the foods you should be eating such as fruits and vegetables. If you haven't used the bathroom in several days, this product is essential.

God Bless and Never Give Up on Getting Better!

Envy and the Fibromyalgia Patient

I don't know if you are like me, but as a person who has fibromyalgia I catch myself envying others sometimes. I even envy my previous life. The truth is this disease has taught me that life isn't always perfect. I grew up with many privileges that others simply don't have. I didn't have a family that possessed any sorts of huge problems. If my family did have huge problems,I never knew about it and still don't to this day. I wasn't aware of the suffering that so many people go through because of the choices of family members, health problems, or lack of financial means. I was very lucky in my upbringing. I worked out daily and wore a much smaller size than I do now.
To tell you the truth, I really miss that lifestyle sometimes. I sometimes envy others that have that lifestyle now or one close to it.
Real life is filled with problems though. Jesus wants us to be aware of these problems and help those who are less fortunate. Therefore, if I make being obedient my first priority, I shouldn't want to go back to my old sheltered life. It might receive glory from the world, but it is not a glorious life in God's eyes.

What does the Bible say about envy?

James 4:2-3

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions

What does the Bible say about venturing out to help others instead of remaining in your sheltered life and shutting others out who need help?

1 John 3:17

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

What do you think about these two verses? Do they speak to you? Do you want to add more verses on these subjects? Please let me know your thoughts.

What the Bible Says about the Middle East

I watched an hour long program on National Geographic about Usama Bin Laden's plots against America and other countries leading up to the fall of the twin towers on 9/11/2001. This left me with many questions about what the Bible says about the Middle East. I had heard and viewed different scriptures before, but never with explanations that further helped me to gain the understanding I need in order to apply the information to current events. Here is a link that helped me. Please feel free to comment about facts or interpretations you believe are left out. Also, feel free to add a link to a source that goes into more detail.
http://www.christadelphia.org/pamphlet/mideast.htm

As many of us feel fearful of an attack to avenge the death of Bin Laden, I am directed to this verse:



Psalm 56:3-4 


When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

Most Healthy Foods

Some of us with fibromyalgia need to be reminded daily of healthy foods we should eat. I've been noticing that what seems to make me sick is eating too many carbs (even gluten free) and sugar. Many of us have a sort of carb addiction. I know I get cravings that are unexplainable quite often. One of my most favorite healthy foods is either a bowl of cooked dry black beans or a bowl of cooked canned black beans. Black beans are good for leveling our blood sugar. Blood sugar, when out of balance, can cause cravings. They are also a source of protein. Here is a link to a list of healthy foods that I find to be a reminder of what we should look for in the grocery store and a bible verse to remind us that God commands us to eat healthy.

http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 

Bible Verse about Pain

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. 1st Peter 4:12-13


Even in the extreme pain of fibromyalgia, we must remember that Christ himself went through a huge amount of pain and suffering. Even then He was gracious. He worshiped God and did not sin throughout all of His suffering and pain. Fibromyalgia pain is terrible, but we know there is a place after this life where there is no pain or suffering. When we get to heaven, we will know the reasons for this pain and suffering. Until then, know that you are not alone. Christ is with you.

Allergy Testing

Anyone out there looking to get tested for allergies? New research suggests that fibromyalgia could be a result of inflammation caused by one or more food or environmental allergy. My fibromyalgia doctor (Paul Paily MD in Houston, TX) is trying this avenue on a few of his clients. I'll keep you posted as to what came out of the study and if anyone was found to be allergic to certain foods they think they have bad reactions to. The problem with trying to find your allergy through an elimination diet is that it is extremely hard to do. Also, when looking at this allergy testing company's website, there are foods I've never even thought of listed on the allergy test. They test you for at least 100 foods as well as environmental agents and more. I find this very interesting and I can't wait to hear if it helped anyone my fibromyalgia doctor knows! The testing company can be found at alcat.com.

Bible Verse about Pain and Suffering

Hi all! It's been a while since I've written a post. I have been busy freelancing. I've been writing tons of articles and haven't had energy to write for myself lately. I wanted to give you all a good bible verse about pain and suffering, a subject that those with fibromyalgia are too familiar with.


Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his present end. Genesis 50:20


Although it is sometimes hard for us to see, some of the evil in this world can be turned around with the help of our Lord and savior and be put to good use. I, for instance, didn't have nearly the compassion I have for others before I had fibromyalgia. That's why it isn't right of me to say anything bad about those who just have no idea how disabling this illness can be. I love to be around kids now too. The disease has taught me patience and made me thankful for the small things in life. Most importantly, the disease made me realize once again that I needed God's help. It brought me closer to him.


Has God brought any good about from you having this horrible condition?

Hope for the Day

This world seems hopeless if you listen to the news or watch certain negative programming or blogs. It seems even more hopeless when us people with Fibromyalgia are trying to find answers. Here is my timeless quote of the day written in the most timeless book there is: the bible.

" May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you."
Psalm 33:22

Let us look to the Lord and His word when we feel hopeless instead of other sources out there today that encourage us to put our hope in all the wrong things. God will take care of us as he promised. Try to pray instead of worry. Try to read the bible instead of negative blogs or empty promises of those trying to earn money off of those who suffer.
I struggle with looking to God first as much or more than the next person, but it is what we all must do to have peace in our hearts.

Gluten-Free AND Dairy-Free Diet

I've been reading more blogs and I came across a certain blog with several responses. People claimed to be gluten-free and dairy-free and SYMPTOM-FREE. Maybe I should try this too and continue to get the word out if it works. People that commented were saying that it takes a few months of being off of all these products to feel well. The same people also explained that they basically had to learn how to cook from scratch.
It was interesting to me. These people had nothing to gain for once. They weren't promoting certain specific products or anything like that. One woman who had fibromyalgia also had a son with autism said that her son's autism symptoms disappeared when he got off of wheat. Maybe there really is something to this.

Thoughts from "Our America: Pray the Gay Away?"

I watched a show on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network) that was very much anticipated by many Americans for some time. I was interested in the subject of the show as well and that is why I decided to watch it a mere few hours ago. I was deeply saddened by the show. Why? There are several reasons.

First of all, I do not like when people call themselves Christians but openly hate and judge others. I think that it is wrong of us to judge because we all fall short of the glory of God. God views murder as he does taking his name in vain. Sin is sin to God. That's it. What about gay people living in sin- ie sinning over and over and living a certain lifestyle associated with that sin? I do believe that they are living in sin. Aren't so many others today? What about people who constantly overeat at every meal? What about those who have sex before marriage over and over and over with no guilt? What about those who cuss every day of the week? There are examples of Christians around the world that struggle with these issues and they are daily sins for them. I worry almost constantly. I know worrying is a sin. I try to not do it, but I have to find peace at some point to know that God knows I'm trying my best and tomorrow is a new day. Therefore, I do not believe that it is my place or anyone else's to judge someone because they are gay- or worse, tell them they are going to hell. That is hateful.

During the show, the reporter Lisa said that she wished that more people would try to live by example and not judge others just as a young female who was gay tried her best to do. It was hurtful seeing that so many people still see Christianity in such a bad light because of those who judge others and even condemn them. They are sinners too. Maybe they didn't get the memo. Haven't all of us experienced humiliation, being made fun of, or being called nasty names? It hurts deeply. The last thing I would want to do is to come out and say "I am a Christian and you are an abomination" to anyone. What good does that do?

My last take on the show has to do with my opinion of the growing amount of gay and lesbians in the teen population these days? Could this at all be that the media is increasingly pushing gay and lesbian relationships onto the public with these new shows that have come out recently? I know SKINS is one of them (on MTV). I watched a commercial for it and it looked like a commercial for porn or something. Could these teens just be confused and/or curious as many of us were when we were that age? I think it creates a huge identity crisis in teens these days. Teens should not be having intimate relations whether homosexual or strait, but the media keeps pushing sexual sin on the teen audience. It is a sad world we live in these days in that respect.

All of this being said, I hope none of what I said is misunderstood or came out as hateful in any sort of way. I am just putting in my two cents about the program I watched earlier over a very controversial subject.

Please add your takes on this episode. I really want to see what others thought about it.

Does anyone out there watch Dr. Oz every once in a while like me? Have you heard of him? He is a famous doctor who focuses mainly on disease prevention and wellness. He helps many people that are tired and run-down get back to their normal selves.

What does that have to do with us? Well, one show that Dr. Oz did was about getting more energy, which I know I can't get enough of. I read the feeling is the same among other fibromyalgia sufferers. What did he recommend for energy boosters? He did NOT mention caffeine, that's for sure. He did mention a sweet substance called D-Ribose.  You can get it online or at Whole Foods. You might can get it more places, but those are the two I am aware of. This sugar-like substance helped several FM sufferers with their energy level and memory improvement according to a study done in 2006. Dr. Oz also recommended the smell of lemons to wake you up. I tried it and I must say that I at least really like the smell. You can just try mopping with lemon-scented cleaner and see how you feel afterwards. Dr. Oz also said that hitting the snooze button in the morning is a bad idea for those who always walk around feeling tired. Who knew that? He also explained that taking a multivitamin after big meals helps you to feel less tired. Multivitamins are just a good idea, period. You should try to take them after you have eaten something, though.

So that's it for my tips from Dr. Oz about how to get more energy. Hopefully this will help some of you at least a small amount with the fatigue we battle daily.

Faith: Defined

What is faith?


These definitions came from dictionary.com.


Faith: confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another'sability.; belief that is not based on proof: He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.; the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise,engagement, etc.: Failure to appear would be breaking faith.; Christian Theology . the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved.


What does the bible say about faith?


Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1 
We live by faith, not by sight. -2 Corinthians 5:7
a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time -Titus 1:2
But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. -Galatians 5:5


These, of course, are just a few verses in the bible that mention faith.  There are many more than those mentioned above. 


So do the definitions from dictionary.com match what the bible says about faith? I think, for the most part, it does match what the bible would define faith as. The definition said faith was not based on proof. The bible says we live by faith and not by sight. It also says we should be certain of what we do not see. Keeping the faith is not easy. Recently, several researchers have found physical and other types of evidence providing proof that parts of the bible happened. Actually, many have said that it takes a leap of faith to not believe that Christ died for us instead of a tiny step to believe that he did. The last definition is right on with what the bible says about faith. We are justified by our faith, not by the law. Thank goodness for that! 


I wanted to also say a little something about the third definition mentioned. It says faith is an obligation of loyalty. I know we are commanded to be loyal to God. We definitely fall short of that, but that has to be part of what faith is. Maybe that is why many of us humans have a hard time with faith. We are to place no person or thing above God. I think we mistakingly do this all of the time. Thank Him for His Grace. It is through faith, not obedience or our works that we are saved because of Christ the son.


Please add comments or suggestions you have.

Did Fibromyalgia Pain Force You to Leave Your Job?

Many of us with this chronic illness find ourselves here at one point or another. Whether we leave the traditional office scene and never come back again or if we just take short term disability and return, the wallet is strained. Those who have quit working but are waiting on disability are really in a bind.
What can we as fellow fibro sufferers do for work? Doing something that makes you happy is what you should do if you can manage from home or part-time. Since depression worsens the pain from this disease, being happy in what you do for a living is very important. There are a few suggestions I have when it comes to working and fibromyalgia.
Think outside the box. Don't just go online looking for jobs working for someone else everyday. This will only lead to frustration and stress, which will lead to more pain. If you do look for a regular job, look only 3 times per week on job boards and only in areas of expertise you will be happy to work in. There are several ways to make money online. There is a site called elance.com where you can freelance from home. You can do several different things from writing articles to tutoring. That brings up another one of my examples. I tutor from my own home. If you are good in any certain subject(s) for certain grades, advertise on neighborhood job boards and pass out flyers around your neighborhood. You may want to meet at a close public place like a library for safety reasons. I also babysit. The money is pretty good from babysitting if you like to do it. Think about the things you love to do or like to talk about and make money writing about things or doing them. It's that simple!
The last suggestion I have is to file for social security disability. If you need the money and you cannot work anymore, that is what it is there for. There are several sites online that can help you file. I would start with the government's social security site.
I hope this got your mind going in the right direction if you need to find work that will suit your lifestyle!

Do we care what God thinks about us more than people here on earth?

My honest answer would have to be no for most of the time. I have been self-conscious for just about my whole life and I know I'm not alone. When I started to get sick, the more self-conscious I became. God really started to get through to me when felt like I hit my bottom. I was angry at the world and God and no one wanted to spend time around me. I can be so stubborn. God is the only ever-lasting entity that we have the pleasure of having a relationship with. It is not an easy walk being a Christian. It is also not popular to be a Christian. It is eternally rewarding, though. Fibromyalgia flare-ups remind me so much of the suffering that the bible says we will have on earth. The suffering ends when we die and are reunited with the Creator. These are huge reasons why we should care much more about what God thinks than what other people think. When others don't realize why we are so tired and call us lazy, are thinking it and have it written on their face or just don't understand, God understands. Here is a verse that goes along with my personal thought today:

Matthew 1:20

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

If Joseph cared more about what other people thought than what God wanted him to do, the story of Jesus would be so different. The story of Jesus is perfect the way it happened, isn't it? 

Please add your thoughts or comments.

Really Good Resource

I was reading other blogs related to chronic illnesses and I came across a link that may be of assistance to many of you fibromyalgia sufferers out there. We all have the worries about getting and keeping health insurance, disability insurance, social security disability, and prescription coverage. This seems to be a good resource for these sorts of issues that we all face. The site is basically giving you knowledge that you can benefit from. Check it out.
AdvocacyForPatients.org

Hope this helps someone out there!

Helping Others

I think it would be great if fibromyalgia sufferers united and tried to help each other in a positive light. I know many of us find it difficult to take care of ourselves at times, much less other people in need with fibromyalgia or a different condition that is hard to endure.

Why am I bringing this up? My pastor, Mark Dean of Sienna Ranch Baptist Church in the Houston area, told his favorite story again today during service. Although I've all heard it before, it has the same effect on me when he repeats it. During a special olympics game a while back (over 20 years ago), a very unique incident happened that touched the hearts of the audience.  The contestants all lined up for the 100 meter dash. When the shot rang out, the runners that had trained very hard started the race of their lives. One young man fell, scraped his leg, and let out a horrible yelp of pain. One by one, all of the runners came back to pick the contestant up and help him finish. Not one of them ignored him. Not one of them crossed the finish line. They all just forgot about their huger personal goal of finishing as fast as they could and helped the contestant who fell finish the race with them. Isn't that how we should strive to be? We can send an encouraging email to others, give someone a call and try to brighten their day, or any other unique way to help someone.

So many people who have claimed to have gotten better from this disease tend to sell books or sell something else quite lucrative. How about sharing knowledge with each other just based on the Ten Commandments? I know greed is a hard sin to tackle and I am just as guilty as the next person of having occasional envy of others. Can we try not to make money off of the sick though? Especially with all of the false claims out there that we've all tried, FM patients are in no mood to pay for another book or diet.

If I get better or go into remission, I will share all of the info on how I got better with you guys right here on this blog. That is a promise.

I will leave you with a verse about that ties into the main point I am trying to make- We should try our hardest and ask God to help us to care more about others than we do about ourselves.

Philippians 2:4 

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Have a great day and God bless!