“Don’t the waves ever stop coming?” Was the question out of my 7 year old at our recent trip to the beach. She thought in her mind she could “swim” in the ocean like the pool and was very frustrated at the onslaught of waves that were relentless despite her grand plans to swim in peace.
I have a dear Lyme friend who right now wonders when the waves will ever stop. In fighting Lyme, the waves are relentless and endless and seem to never stop.
My heart breaks and is in aguish for my dear friend and all of you in the throes of this beast of Lyme right now getting hit by the breakers, and hit and hit and hit.
Here are the life lessons of encouragement for you via what my 7 year old has learned after a week at the beach.
1. The waves won’t stop just because we want them to.
The waves have a bigger purpose that are out of our control. We can’t change the course of creation, but accept it being from a sovereign God and for a good purpose and for His glory. Same thing about chronic illness. Don’t waste your energy on how did I get this or why me. Those questions don’t have answers this side of heaven and only result in a pity party. Accept what you’ve been handed, anchor to Jesus and ride it out.
2. If you don’t want a mouthful of saltwater, get your face out of the waves.
I know in chronic illness, it seems we can’t control how hard we get hit and how often and for how long. True, but we can keep our head above water and our face out of the waves. Brace yourself in the thick of the fight and get anchored to God. He can keep your face out of the waves and from sinking. So can the right support system of friends and family helping, supporting, encouraging and praying. Don’t do this alone. Get in a group online, in person, or with a counselor. Use whatever it takes to have a life preserver for this battle, it is fierce and ugly and lonely.
3. Just because one wave just came doesn’t mean there isn’t another one lurking right behind it.
The timing and strength of each wave is unpredictable. Sometimes they come in two sets and sometimes there is a lull. Be prepared for the onslaught even if it doesn’t hit as hard as you think. Eat right and exercise every day that you can. If there is a lull in the storm of illness, then get out there and live a little. Don’t worry about wearing yourself out. The good windows in Lyme are unpredictable and sometimes short lived, so enjoy them. Then hunker down when the waves start again.
4. A body can learn the rhythm of the waves.
Listen to your body and learn the cues. When you are overdoing it, then take a break. When you know a program or medicine or supplement is working great, if you feel worse then stop taking it. There is a rhythm to Lyme in each of us that can be learned because it is a necessity for survival.
5. Enjoy the flow of the ocean, jump the waves or get out of the sea and watch.
You can laugh in the middle of the battle with the waves – you can. I know it’s not every day and I’m not saying I ever did it perfect. But you can still read a good book, enjoy a good movie, talk and pray with a dear friend and every now and again take part in a belly laugh. It’s good for the soul and imperative in this fight of chronic illness to not neglect the body’s need for the whole spectrum of emotion. I felt like all I ever did was cry, not matter how good the days were, I still cried a lot. Give yourself time to enjoy other emotions on the spectrum and go with the flow. Go miniature golfing and if you don’t have the energy, watch everyone else and relax. Have someone take you for a drive and roll the windows down.
Wherever you are on your path to healing find an appropriate action to take for moving forward and enjoying where you are – somehow.
Blessings,
Janice
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