This post has been a long time in the making, born from a deep desire to share a profoundly personal aspect of my healing journey and, indeed, my entire life. It’s a vulnerable undertaking, pouring your heart out to a vast audience, knowing it might invite various reactions. Yet, the conviction to share this most vital part of my path outweighs any apprehension, making it entirely worthwhile.
Before we dive in, a quick but important disclaimer: if my perspective on faith doesn’t align with yours, I wholeheartedly understand and respect that. This space is intentionally created for me to share my views on God and how they intertwine with my health. Your choice to engage with these thoughts is entirely optional, and there are no hard feelings if you prefer to simply gather recipes and skip other content. My aim is to offer a different lens, not to impose belief.
I won’t pretend my health journey has been the absolute toughest. I am immensely grateful for the blessings I have, especially when I compare my struggles to those endured by many friends and acquaintances who face far greater challenges. However, acknowledging others’ hardships doesn’t negate the very real difficulties I’ve experienced. Life, in its complex tapestry, is rarely easy for anyone, each person navigating their unique set of trials.
For me, Hashimoto’s brought a relentless, debilitating fatigue that often left me feeling drained and detached. It contributed to hair loss, a distressing physical symptom that chipped away at my confidence, and frequently led to social isolation. Compounding these issues were chronic gut problems, which further intensified my isolation, stripping away the simple joy of many beloved foods and activities I once cherished. A significant percentage of my time on this Earth felt consumed by a pervasive sense of malaise, leaving me perpetually feeling unwell. While it could always be worse, the journey has certainly not been simple.
In the face of persistent health challenges, when conventional medical answers feel elusive or contradictory, it’s natural to feel an overwhelming sense of self-reliance. It can feel as though the burden of healing rests solely on your shoulders, and all other authorities have left you adrift. Questions echo in the quiet moments: “Why is this happening to me?” “Who can I truly trust?” Even in the darkest, most bewildering moments, my unwavering answer has consistently been God. Even when every meal seemed to trigger discomfort, and I struggled to comprehend why such a hardship was mine to bear, my trust in a higher power remained my steadfast anchor.
Many grapple with the profound questions of “why?” and “how?” when confronted with suffering. These are the very questions that compelled me to share my story: Why I choose to trust God with my health, even when hope feels distant, even when understanding eludes me, and why this spiritual connection forms the most essential cornerstone of my entire wellness journey.
Why I Trust God With My Health: A Journey of Faith and Healing
Embracing Imperfection: The Reality of Health and Suffering
One of my absolute favorite verses, a guiding light through life’s complexities, reminds me:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
– John 16:33
So, what profound truth does this verse convey, particularly in the context of health? A common and deeply ingrained misconception is that embracing faith, following God, and striving to live a Christ-like life somehow guarantees a path devoid of hardship, leading only to perfect blessings and an effortlessly happy existence. The narrative often suggests that with God on your side, nothing can truly go wrong, and a simple prayer is all it takes to magically extricate yourself from any predicament – much like a helicopter parent swooping in to rescue a child from minor trouble. We’ve all encountered this mentality, perhaps even believed it at some point. Yet, the reality, as illuminated by scripture and lived experience, stands in stark contrast to this idealized vision.
We are never promised a flawless, problem-free life, regardless of whether we choose to follow a spiritual path or not. The concept of original sin and the brokenness of our fallen world mean that challenges are an inherent part of the human experience. We will inevitably encounter pain, suffer loss, and yes, we may get sick, no matter how diligently we pursue a healthy lifestyle. Ultimately, death is a universal experience that awaits us all. There are no guaranteed free passes from life’s struggles; no one is immune. Of course, the spectrum of difficulties people face varies dramatically, but the presence of struggle itself is a shared human condition.
The essence of this understanding is that while we all navigate the troubles of this world due to its fallen nature, Jesus offers profound hope by having overcome its sins, taking them upon Himself. This doesn’t mean our earthly troubles disappear. They can be incredibly painful, deeply unfair, and utterly confusing. However, it means there is a reality beyond this transient world, and a profound, enduring hope in a God who has already triumphed over the very struggles that define our present existence. This perspective allows us to endure hardship not with despair, but with a foundational peace, knowing our suffering is not the final chapter.
Whenever I find myself grappling with feelings of hopelessness concerning my own health or life circumstances, this powerful truth serves as a vital reminder. It anchors me in the knowledge that this earthly life is not designed for absolute perfection, but rather, God graciously offers something far greater: salvation and an eternal hope that transcends all present difficulties. This spiritual foresight empowers me to face current challenges with resilience and an enduring sense of purpose, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
Navigating the Unknown: Trusting God When Answers are Scarce
The profound question that often arises in the face of adversity is, “How could a loving God allow such hardship, such ‘x,’ to happen?” This is a question that has plagued humanity for millennia. Firstly, I always return to the foundational truth of John 16:33. Secondly, and just as critically, we must acknowledge that we simply do not possess all the answers. The human mind is finite, and the complexities of divine plans and universal workings are often beyond our current comprehension. I do not pretend to understand why certain things unfold as they do, nor do I claim to possess the solutions to life’s most intractable problems. Yet, in the face of this profound unknowing, I have made a conscious choice to trust God, even when understanding remains elusive. For those who wish to delve deeper into this intricate topic, I highly recommend this insightful article by Lee Strobel.
It is a fundamental human inclination to desire complete understanding and absolute control, especially when it comes to our health. We plunge into endless Google searches, devour podcasts, accumulate stacks of books, and some even pursue extensive education, convinced that the ultimate blueprint for perfect health must be out there, waiting to be discovered. This relentless pursuit of a definitive answer, however, often leads to burnout, confusion, and the painful realization that perfect health, easily attained and universally applicable, is simply not that straightforward.
Through my own journey, I’ve come to a peaceful acceptance that I will never fully grasp every intricate working of my body at every given moment. No single person, no matter how brilliant or dedicated, has all the answers or the complete picture of human physiology. This acceptance, however, is not a capitulation to ignorance or passivity. Quite the contrary. It absolutely does not mean we should abandon our efforts to learn more, seek knowledge, and proactively strive for better health. On the contrary, I passionately dedicate myself to managing my own health and assisting others in their wellness pursuits. Yet, it is vital to remember that our understanding will always be incomplete. This inherent limitation necessitates an essential ingredient that often goes overlooked: trust. Trust in something beyond our immediate grasp, trust in a process, and ultimately, trust in a higher power.
The Foundation of Faith: Building a Trusting Relationship with God
It’s easy to conceive of God as a distant, ethereal figure—a lofty being on a throne, utterly inaccessible and unknowable. However, this perception misses the profound truth: a deeply personal and intimate relationship with God is not only possible but is precisely what God desires for us. This connection isn’t forged through grand, unattainable gestures but through consistent, intentional practices: heartfelt prayer, which serves as our direct conversation; dedicated study of His word, which reveals His character and guidance; and a conscious striving to emulate His attributes of love, compassion, and truth in our daily lives. Through these avenues, a living, breathing relationship can genuinely flourish.
And much like any significant human relationship, whether with a friend, family member, or spouse, a relationship with God inherently involves an element of the unknown. We don’t always possess 100% certainty about outcomes, motivations, or future paths. In these spaces of uncertainty, trust becomes the vital bridge.
Consider, for example, my husband, Daniel. He possesses an extraordinary creative spirit and an insatiable passion for home improvement projects. His endeavors range from meticulously installing vintage light fixtures, to expertly mixing and pouring his own custom concrete, to spontaneously deciding to rip out bathroom tiles on a moment’s notice. He’s incredibly hands-on. Often, he’ll present me with a brief rundown of his latest vision, and in that moment, the practicalities or the final aesthetic don’t always compute for me. My immediate thought might be, “How is that even going to work?” Regardless, I consciously choose to trust his process and have faith in his abilities. I believe he will apply his best effort and skill, and without fail, he always delivers a remarkable result. Our home has been transformed by his creativity and my trust.
Of course, this example represents only a small facet of the trust present in our relationship. Trust manifests in countless forms throughout life: it can be as seemingly minor as relying on a friend to make dinner reservations, or as monumental as committing to a spouse for a lifetime, trusting them to navigate all of life’s seasons by your side. Every single time you get behind the wheel of a car, you are inherently placing trust in the drivers around you to adhere to traffic laws and avoid collisions. No matter the situation, life invariably demands a certain measure of trust, and often, what feels like a leap of blind faith.
The very same principle applies to our relationship with God, though on a vastly grander scale. There are moments when I step back and observe my life, or specifically my health, and it feels akin to that mid-remodel bathroom – a chaotic scene of broken tiles, pervasive dust, and seemingly insurmountable disarray. Yet, even in such moments of profound disorganization and uncertainty, I must consciously choose to trust that, in the end, everything will converge into a purposeful and beautiful whole. Trust is rarely an easy path. Our human nature craves control; we yearn to foresee outcomes before they materialize, to orchestrate every detail. But it is precisely in those moments when we feel most utterly out of control that a deeper truth emerges: in one way or another, with divine guidance, things always work out, often in ways we could never have anticipated.
Beyond the Search: Finding Ultimate Comfort and Purpose in God
Just as any deeply personal relationship demands continuous effort and open communication, and just as trust within those relationships can sometimes waver, the same dynamic holds true for our relationship and trust in God. It is not a static state but a dynamic, unfolding journey—a continuous process of seeking, learning, and reaffirming faith.
However, amidst all the fluctuations of life and the inherent work required, nothing provides me with a more profound sense of comfort or a clearer understanding of purpose than my relationship with Him. In both the broader context of life and specifically within the demanding landscape of health, we frequently find ourselves stumbling, desperately searching for definitive answers. We often jump from one protocol to another, adopting different diets, experimenting with various fitness regimens, all in a relentless quest for the ultimate solution—a way to feel perpetually good, whole, and worthy. And while these proactive measures are undeniably necessary and beneficial for our physical well-being, here’s the crucial insight: no external remedy, no temporary fix, no human-devised strategy will ever bestow the same depth of comfort and purpose upon me as my steadfast relationship with God.
This spiritual connection is underpinned by the profound knowledge that even though my health journey is undeniably arduous, and even though troubles will inevitably present themselves at every single turn, He has already overcome the world. This overarching truth provides an unshakable foundation, an eternal perspective that allows me to navigate earthly challenges not with despair, but with enduring hope, unwavering peace, and a clear sense of divine purpose that transcends the temporary circumstances of my physical health. It’s a comfort that calms the soul, and a purpose that gives meaning to every step, even the most difficult ones.
Thank you for taking the time to read this deeply personal reflection. It is my sincere hope that by sharing my journey of faith and health, this post can offer some solace, fresh insight, or a renewed sense of strength, no matter what challenging spot you might currently find yourself in. May it encourage you to explore the profound comfort that comes from trusting in something greater than ourselves.