Having chronic illness presents unique daily challenges. One day I can feel great and the next week it can be hard to want to do anything. The unpredictable nature makes it tough to truly make plans because I just never know exactly how I am going to feel. Like many others in my situation I usually just push through and do the best I can each and every day and rest on my days off.
When the pandemic began I have to admit I was afraid. Being an immunocompromised healthcare worker that worked in a walk in clinic was terrifying. The media was not helping things at all-every channel I turned too seemed to be announcing doomsday.
Not only was I afraid , many around me were either scared or angry. Emotions have definitely been on edge and being a provider people were sharing those concerns with me daily.
I have always considered myself overly compassionate and empathetic. So experiencing my own concerns along with those I came in contact with was definitely tough.
Stress is a trigger for my own illnesses and during this time I have had a worsening of symptoms. Self-care had to be a priority.
I would like to share some things I have found helpful to my healing during this time in hopes it may help you as well.
This week’s song is “Highs and Lows” By Hillsong Young and Free.
Sometimes life is not going to go as planned- we are going to have times of great joys and great sorrow. I love that no matter what- we can stand on the promise that our Abba father will be with us. May this song bless you no matter what you are facing today.
Highs and Lows by Hillsong Young and Free
When it feels like the dark
Lingers longer than the night
When the shadows feel like giants
Are You chasing me down?
Tell me where could I run
From Your light, where could I hide
Hemmed within Your precious thoughts
There's no hiding from Your love
Highs and lows
Lord, You're with me either way it goes
Should I rise or should I fall?
Even so
Lord, Your mercy is an even flow
You're too good to let me go
Should I dance on the heights
Or make my bed among the depths
Your mercy waits at every end
Like You planned it from the start
Should the dawn come with wings
Or find me far-side of the sea
There Your hand still fastens me
Ever closer to Your heart, oh
Highs and lows
Lord, You're with me either way it goes
Should I rise or should I fall?
Even so
Lord, Your mercy is an even flow
Should I rise or should I fall?
You are faithful through it all
You're too good to let me go
Highs and lows
You surround me either way it goes
Should I rise or should I fall?
Lord, You're with me through it all, oh
Highs and lows
In the rhythms of Your grace I know
Should I rise or should I fall?
You are faithful through it all
And You're too good to let me go
When I ask my patients if they are drinking enough water- the answer from all of them is almost always yes. They say things like “I drink all day” when in reality most of us do not get enough water at all.
The general consensus is that most healthy adults need to drink half of their weight in ounces every day or at least 64 ounces.
Now I myself struggle BIG TIME with this! I have to literally remind myself daily to drink which sounds so silly right?
I was like everyone else who thought drinking coffee and beverages other than water was acceptable- what I didn’t realize is a lot of these beverages were having the exact opposite effect- instead of hydrating my body they were dehydrating my body and giving me a false sense of accomplishment in what I’ve drunk for the day.
Chronic dehydration can have a devastating and cumulative affect on the body. I love how Dr. Tim O'Shea breaks it down in this article and usually have my own patients read it. Hydration and Dehydration this article really does a great job explaining how the body absorbs water and why it takes so long to notice a difference.
The song this week is the acoustic version of “Let Go” by Hillsong Young and Free.
Surrender is such a hard thing to do. I know I , myself am a type A personality and like to be in control. I just like things to go how I planned. Learned early in life that- that is not always going to happen. I love how this song is just another wonderful reminder that we having a loving Father that hears our cries- we just need to let go. May it Bless you today.
Let Go by Hillsong Young and Free
I close my eyes and colors fly
There's no hiding from Your grace
I can't deny Your heart for mine
And its unrelenting chase
I was on the edge of deception
Caught up in my own hesitation
Until Your love took over me
So I let go and I let love
Show me life like it's supposed to be
An oasis here awaits us
All the freedom I'll ever need
Now I'm alive
Oh-la-la, oh-la-la
When I let go then I found life
Oh-la-la, oh-la-la
When I let go then I found life
When I let go then I found life
The higher way is calling me
To a life unlike before
The Father's heart is beckoning
And I can't resist no more
Lead me in the ways of devotion
I don't wanna get caught in the motions
My heart is only for You, Lord
So I let go and I let love
Show me life like it's supposed to be
An oasis here awaits us
All the freedom I'll ever need
Now I'm alive
Oh-la-la, oh-la-la
When I let go then I found life
Oh-la-la, oh-la-la
When I let go then I found life
When I let go then I found life
So I let go and I let love
Show me life like it's supposed to be
An oasis here awaits us
All the freedom I'll ever need
Now I'm alive
When I let go then I found life
When I let go, then I found life
When I let go then I found life
When I let go then I found life
Oh-la-la, oh-la-la
When I let go then I found life
The song for this week’s worship Wednesday is “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle. I always have loved Lauren’s back story and what she overcame to get to where she is today. I don’t think there is a song of hers I do not love-it just depends on the day which one I love more. In “Rescue” it reminds us we are never alone, no matter the odds stacked against us. May it bless you today.
You are not hidden
There's never been a moment
You were forgotten
You are not hopeless
Though you have been broken
Your innocence stolen
I hear you whisper underneath your breath
I hear your SOS, your SOS
I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It's true, I will rescue you
There is no distance
That cannot be covered
Over and over
You're not defenseless
I'll be your shelter
I'll be your armor
I hear you whisper underneath your breath
I hear your SOS, your SOS
I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It's true, I will rescue you
I will never stop marching to reach you
In the middle of the hardest fight
It's true, I will rescue you
I hear the whisper underneath your breath
I hear you whisper, you have nothing left
I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It's true, I will rescue you
I will never stop marching to reach you
In the middle of the hardest fight
It's true, I will rescue you
Oh, I will rescue you
