a surrendered life

I became my body. Nothing like a postpartum struggle to upend mental stability. After having my son in 2021, I went through the deep waters of anxiety and depression. My crises point came when I became my body. My mind was consumed with trying to fight insomnia, not wanting to eat, and problems with hypertension caused by deep anxiety. I focused on how to feel better and all my time was devoted to what medication/ vitamin/ exercise would cure me. Mind, body, spirit-- in terms of wellness is all connected. Sure. But after this trial I caution you about the trend that's taking a materialistic extreme. It's a subtle shift among believers to suggest that since the spirit is in the body it's of  the body. Truth is if Christ's spirit indwells you, if the Father and the Son have made their home with you, then your spirit is from above. I am in the world, but I am not of the world. In the same way, I am in my body but not of it. (This is only true for the believer, an unbeliev

  No fair. Woe is me. I didn’t deserve that. My cries of self pity are just as painful as the situation that caused them. They double the pain and invite hopelessness to settle in, just when I need hope most. But I’m learning a profound truth— in Christ I am never a victim and suffering always has a deeper purpose, growing my faith and helping me to be conformed to His image. This is one reason the Lord calls me to lay down my life, to take up my cross and follow Him. Doing this, laying down my life, guards my heart against self pity. Now when some trial happens to me, no matter how weighty, I can say like Christ, “no one takes my life from me, but I lay it down (John 10:18).” How better to reflect His image?  Lord, thank you for Your example of laying down your life. Help me to remember that when I follow this example, I am no longer a victim to anything or anyone. Amen.