Having Faith Despite Fibromyalgia
I am of the opinion that an important aspect of healing, regardless of what the ailment is, is faith.
What exactly is faith? Many would associate that word with religion. One dictionary defines it as "strong belief or trust in someone or something; belief in the existence of God; strong religious feelings or beliefs; a system of religious beliefs."
The Bible defines it as "the assured expectation of what is hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities that are not seen."
The fact is faith comes in many shapes and forms. Faith can be placed in anything, such as God, doctors, other people, even yourself. What happens though, when you choose to have faith in all of these things? Your outlook gets a little brighter, that's what.
I am sure some will read that and think I'm crazy, or naive. And that is fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and you may think fibromyalgia and faith don't go together. But allow me though to share with you why I choose to hold on to faith, and how it has helped me on my journey with fibro.
God
My primary faith is, always has been, and always will be in God. As a child I was taught about him, and I believed it all. I had no reason to believe otherwise. But it wasn't until my teen years that I began to study and research for myself and really came to put true faith in God.
I began to view him as a real person, as a friend, and as a loving father. I learned that when I trusted in him he helped me in very real ways. This is especially beneficial when dealing with a chronic illness like fibromyalgia.
I know that I do not have the strength to bear this burden alone, it is only with the help of my God that I can endure with a positive outlook. As Philippians 4:13 so aptly says, "For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power." I also have faith in "realities that are not seen."
Why, you may ask? I have this faith because Jehovah God has never let me down. I have this faith because when I read the Bible, and the corresponding history, I recognize that God has always been faithful to his servants in the past, so there is no reason to believe that he will do anything differently in the future.
And just what has God promised us for the future? "He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:4.
That is what my faith and hope rests on. This faith keeps me going strong, always remembering that what I am suffering is only temporary.
Doctors
I tend to have a love/hate relationship with doctors. I dislike doctors that are narrow minded, dismissive, prescription pushers, or that are only in it for the money. However I have heard of – and even met a few – doctors that genuinely care about their patients and want to help them, and these I love.
I know that there are doctors out there who are willing to help patients with natural methods wherever possible. I have faith that these good doctors are out there and that I will eventually be able to find the doctor I need to help me.
I also have faith that as time goes on more good doctors will be entering the medical field, ready and able to help all the chronic illness sufferers. I have faith that the more that is learned about fibromyalgia, the more doctors will be able to help us. This faith keeps me from giving up. This faith keeps me from giving in to my illness.
