Monday, July 18, 2011

Finding Strength & Preoccupation

Patients For A Moment (PFAM) is a patient-centered blog carnival to build connections within the community of people who blog about illness, disease, and disability. Tonja, at Pink Doberman, is hosting this edition of the PFAM blog carnival. The topic is two-fold:
Part 1: Outside of your disability, illness, condition, or situation, what do you focus on, where do you find the strength to keep going and nourish your soul?
Part 2: What do you occupy your mind, your hands, and your time doing outside of dealing with your disability, illness, condition, or situation?
Part 1: Finding Strength

Since my car accident, I have tried very hard to keep my focus on my health - physical, emotional, spiritual.

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will" (Mahatma Gandhi
Finding the strength to keep going began as an up and down battle (and it still can be, at times). But, I find my strength in the Lord. I know that He will provide and care for me. 
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)  

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him" (Psalm 28:7)
I also find strength and nourishment for my soul through writing. I know I haven't been able to journal and/or blog as much as I'd like to, but it still helps. My family has provided a great deal of support and strength through my trials.  And, my online friends have become a much bigger part of my life than I ever expected - they are there for me during the good times and the bad. 

Part 2: Occupying My Mind (Preoccupation)

As far as occupying myself with things other than my chronic pain... I've had trouble with this. I enjoy spending time with my husband - talking, walking, watching movies, playing games, cooking, etc... Also, I really enjoy visiting with my family; which I'll be able to do more now, since we're back in Texas.

I love reading and writing, but I've had difficulty doing a lot of either because of the chronic migraines and cognitive/processing difficulties. I also enjoy scrapbooking, but I haven't really been able to do a whole lot of that (it can be very difficult to concentrate, and the creative side of my mind doesn't always work well).

I've been watching a lot of things on Netflix (well, sometimes it's really only on in the background); which has been a nice distraction, especially when I'm trying to get through a migraine attack. It's nice to be able to watch things that I normally may never have even known about, and extra-great to have it commercial-free.

I'm currently helping my sister plan her wedding. I enjoy being able to help her with such a special start to her married life. It can be stressful, but I love designing her invitations/stationary, helping with flowers, etc... and it's so great being able to spend time with her!


More Scripture ~ Strength

"The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father's God, and I will exalt Him" (Exodus 15:2)

"God is my strength and power: and He maketh my way perfect" (2 Samuel 22:33)

"If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:11)

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14)

"The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1) 

"The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; He is their stronghold in time of trouble" (Psalm 37:39) 

www.worshipphotos.com
"God is our refuge and stregth, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1 

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26)
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