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.