The world we live in today takes a toll on people and their outlook on life. You can’t turn on the TV or get on social media without encountering talk of war, the destruction of people across the globe, pandemics, active shooters or victims of fires and floods. Tragedy is everywhere. It affects every one of us. My heart breaks for people because I love with all my heart and it hurts to see suffering. Most of the time, all of this fuels the depression that I battle constantly.
The good is there, even in the midst of suffering
As a person living with a rare disease (indolent systemic mastocytosis, or ISM), I also suffer from PTSD and anxiety. But I cannot allow worry, fear and anxiety to take over my life. Every day, I get up and make up my mind that I will give my worries over to God, and not pick them back up. I replace my worries with prayer. I wake up each morning and pray that I can find joy in the midst of suffering.
There is beauty all around us, and good people in this world. Rarely do you see the good on the news or social media, but it’s there.
Every day, good people are out there helping others. It may be after a tragedy like the flooding in Texas. The people risking their lives to bring home loved ones so that families can have peace. The volunteers that feed and house the homeless. The people that offer resources and support for veterans and wounded warriors. This list could go on forever.
I have suffered from this disease for over 25 years. It has destroyed my body, but because of this suffering I am able to help other people navigate the disease. I advocate for all people living with rare diseases and their struggles. I show them they are not alone. I hope that reading all the articles on Rare Disease Advisor and SM Companion will help them find an early diagnosis, raise questions they can ask their doctors and that all the advances in medicine can provide them with hope.
Some days the joy in life is hard to find, but I always have hope. Hope never fails me.
I thank God for the countless ways He’s been faithful, and I often share the ways He’s shown up in my life. I see beauty all around me in nature. I see unconditional love in the eyes of my grandchildren. The miracle of birth. The mothers who know they are not ready to take care of a child, and make the decision to bless adoptive parents who have prayed for a child. I was that mother once. I gave life to a little girl. She found me again 32 years later, and it was a beautiful reunion. There is beauty and good all around us, even when it’s rooted in despair.
The struggles you are dealing with today will produce the strength you need to get through tomorrow. Don’t let anxiety steal your peace. Don’t let fear control your future. Don’t let the “what ifs” take away from today. Because of God’s faithfulness, I continue to have hope through all the trials in my life. I also practice being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.
Finding the beauty and joy
Every morning , I ask God to let His light shine through me and to show me how I can help someone else. We all need to practice compassion and empathy. We all need to share our love for others. Even on the worst of days, there is beauty and joy you can find. Just look for it and feel it.
I hope you all can find love that is all around you. And then maybe you can pass that love on to someone who needs it.
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