It is effortless to claim disease on our body. We are given a diagnosis and too often we make it a part of ourselves like a leg or an arm. We attach the word "my" to cancer, anxiety, depression, muscle aches, torn tendons, stomach conditions, heart conditions, broken bones, PMS, disfigurements, memory loss, addictions, weight, and just fill in the blank. I thought about this when I was diagnosed with cancer and heard myself say, "my cancer." I had to catch myself. I did NOT want to claim that over my life. It was "the cancer." We are NOT our diagnosis even though it often feels like we are. Depending on the situation, it can feel overwhelming and like it's all of who we are and/or who we will always be. But, that is not true. We are not arthritis. We are not bi-polar. We may struggle with it, but we are not IT. We are wonderfully and fearfully made by God. It is only a part of what is in our life, it is not our whole being. It is not our whole self and should never become our identity. We are created by God in His image.
What can we give God praise with? How about our whole body? Can every cell stand up and give God honor? How about every muscle, tendon, joint, and bone? How about the losses in your body? The things that used to be and just aren't anymore? YES! How about our toes, hands, and the crown of our heads? Our brains and hearts? All the organs? Blood? Chemicals? What about the systems - nervous, endocrine, respiratory, digestive, immune, reproductive and so forth? YES! Can things failing give God praise? I would say yes. When I had cancer I would command in the name of Jesus that every cell give the Lord praise, including the cancer cells. EVERYTHING is subject to the King. We are broken humans and we still give God praise so why shouldn't that part that isn't working, give God praise? Again, this is about being conscious of our words and thoughts in regard to our body.
There is so much more I could write about in regard to this, but we need to stop claiming junk over our lives. I encourage you to start thinking, praying and speaking LIFE. There is something special that happens when we give God honor and praise with our whole body and begin to name different parts. For me, I began to love myself better. I began to think about how I could be taking better care of myself. I saw the parts of myself that I didn't like as special and formed by God. I began to be less afraid of the cancer. I began to develop tender feelings toward my body. I began to appreciate the things that were functioning like the fact that I could breathe on my own, feel the wind, taste something sweet, use my fingers, have a heart that was pumping blood through my body, and a mind that could reason. I could sense the hand of Jesus upon me. I could feel His love better. Diagnoses and imperfections could be set aside because all that mattered was that everything in me could bow before the Lord and give Him all the praise He was due.
If you want to praise Him with your whole self, then do it, and begin naming those parts, most especially the parts that aren't working well. In fact, start there. For example, "Lord, I give you praise with my whole being this morning, including my digestive system which has been causing me so much grief. Every part of that is standing to your attention this morning, acknowledging you as Lord, loving you, and giving you praise." Give the Lord ALL you have. He is worthy!
And, pray for healing while you give praise and THANKS. Watch your conversations. Do they revolve around all that is wrong? There is nothing wrong with venting to a trusted friend. There is nothing wrong with lamenting your heart out to the Lord. But, add praise, whether you feel like it or not. Don't claim the bad stuff like it's some badge of honor because it isn't. Replace "my" with "the." It'll take time and practice. Ask the Lord for help. I have a WAYS to go in this area. And by all means, give yourself a good hug once in a while and practice self-compassion.
I haven't arrived anywhere with this yet. This is a different way of praying. But, God is working on me and I am noticing a difference. I'm liking my body a little better and I'm loving the Lord a whole lot more. He is a Healer. A real Healer. Be encouraged.
