God's Promises!

Good morning!  It's 6:00 am and I had some things I wanted to share with you all in this journey we are on, so I thought I would write it down now while it's fresh!

It's quite amazing what God is doing in Michael & my lives over this last year and a half since He called us to go...especially in this last 6 months.  As I have mentioned in previous posts I have severe digestive health issues, have had since I was young, and it's really kept me from doing so much.  One of the most significant things that God has shown me in the area of healing is that I have to get a hold of my thoughts...thoughts that are negative and too focused on my symptoms and what I can't do.   I truly believe this to be a part of my healing journey and I've been really really working on that!  I have my journal that I keep with me everywhere I go that is full of encouraging, empowering scripture & power thoughts.  A lot of them I got from Joyce Meyer's wonderful book, "Power Thoughts" book, through the Word and my own positive thoughts to replace the negatives.  I take it with me everywhere I go and  read it to myself OUT LOUD through out the day and this has really brought empowerment to me.  It's been extremely helpful in this process...and let me tell you up front, it's not an easy process to replace negative thoughts, especially when they have been with you for a lifetime.  But it's so worth the work.

Second, God has directed me to a particular diet called the GAPS diet (Gut & Psychology Program).  I've always know that a large part of my issues are Candida Yeast & bacterial (Helicobactor Pylori being one) that keep the continuous cycle of my food cravings going over the years.  All sugars & starches feed these bad guys and I've tried getting off them over and over with no success of staying PERMANENTLY off!  Very frustrating indeed!  These little critters in my system feed off these and that's what created such cravings in me.  And having an overgrowth of these in my gut damages the lining of my stomach and small intestine.  (For some it can be in their esophagus or anywhere else)  So this diet cuts out ALL sugars and starches for a good amount of time to allow the bad critters to die and along with them, all of the toxins they bring.  It's very restrictive to begin with (the diet takes you on phases through the introduction part), and that overwhelmed me to even think about.  I have been through so many different ways to heal my gut through many many different avenues, and the idea of cutting out so many foods again just about made me feel crazy.  I can't tell you how many times I went back and forth, battling with myself and my body's cravings to have to let go of my beloved foods.  Not just for a little while, but for a good two years or more!

So, every morning, during my devotional/quite time with God, I would argue with Him, "ya but" with Him and finally submitted to Him.  He made it VERY clear that this is the path I have to take to get my full & complete healing in order to be what I need to be for His calling & ministry.  There's a promise that God gave to me back in October of 2009 when He first called us to go and it's one I keep very close and hang on to..."my daughter, you took a risk of faith and now you are healed and whole."  Ahhhh, such a balm to this weary, sick soul!  This kept coming to me as I struggled to make the final commitment to do this diet.  I know that He wants me to walk through the experience of my healing and that I have to work at it on my part and He will do the rest.  I choose every day to believe this promise and count on it.

So, I started the diet about 4 days ago.  I am now on my 4th day of eating nothing but chicken broth with lots of yummy fats, little chicken meat and soft cooked, mashed veggies.  I am experiencing extreme symptoms!  The most significant and telling of these symptoms is my stomach pain.  When these bad guys in our system (yeast, bacterias, parasties, etc) die, they release toxins and this is what makes a person feels symptoms.  (Think of the alcoholic who drinks every day, but generally feels OK, but when they quit, they go through extreme detox symptoms!)  I was diagnosed with a bacteria in my stomach years ago called Helicobator Pylori.  I also know that I have had the yeast overgrowth, not only in my intestinal tract, but also in my stomach lining as well.  Oh my, they are dying off and causing me extreme pain in my stomach!  Pain, spasming & inability to eat anything for the last two days except a little chicken broth!  BUT the good news is that something major is happening as a result of restricting all the sugars and starches that have been feeding these guys and for that I am encouraged!  But I will admit, there have been moments in the extreme pain that I got scared and wished I had never started this whole thing!  It's been overwhelming on my body to say the least!  But each time I start shaking in fear, feeling like I should call 911 so they could give me an anti-spasmotic, I calm myself with my notebook full of positive thoughts and God's wonderful soothing scripture.  Pulls me right out of the fear and allows me to just rest in Him, in the midst of the pain. 

We have only two months left before we leave for California.  I am feeling a bit anxious about this whole thing and just keep praying and believing that He will help bring the healing I need & the strength I need to go.  I know He is faithful. 

God is really teaching me such amazing things through all of this process...I'm REALLY learning to trust in Him and lean on Him in everything I do and every decision and experience I have.  He is my Guide, my ROCK, my Shield in times of trouble, my Peace and my Deliverer.  He is becoming my everything.  And that is a place I want to always be...in the shelter of His Wings.

The other thing that helps me during this time is the fact that spring is here!  We are getting little bits of sunshine, even some warmth in our days and there is NEW GROWTH everywhere!  Before I started this diet, I was out and about in my "wanderin" shoes and got some photos.  Thought I would share a few with you to encourage any of you going through hard times.  Just remember, when something feels unbearable, it really isn't!  Because we have our all powerful, loving God who is right beside us, bringing us through it!  I can do this and you can do this!!!  

I would love to hear any feedback, or stories of your own where you are struggling and also where God is bringing victory in your lives!  It helps bring encouragement to me. (Please share in the comments section)   

Praise Him!

Sue