Being a caregiver isn’t easy. I know. I learned the hard way as I took care of my wife who died from pancreatic cancer three years ago. The stress of doing a job that most people aren’t trained for, on average, 20 hours a week or more, can impact your health. According to the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), one of every five family caregivers reports fair or poor health. And its not just physical health that suffers. Almost one-half to three-quarters of family caregivers show signs of clinical depression.

So what can you do to keep your health as optimal as possible? Start by remembering that taking care of a loved one who faces a life threatening disease or injury is vastly different than helping someone who has the flu.

Here are three tips from Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing that can make your role as caregiver easier:

1. Understand the Diagnosis: Fully understand what the diagnosis is. This will dictate the kind of care that will be needed. Understanding includes not only the basics of how the disease works, but what the symptoms are, possible treatments and likely outcomes. When the doctor told my wife and I that my wife had pancreatic cancer, we both k enough that form of cancer to know it was quite serious. But neither of us k what the treatment options were, nor did we have a firm grasp of how her treatment would turn our world upside down.

2. Ask Questions: Modern medicine is highly complicated, but the simplest questions are often the most effective to ask. For example: What should you expect from the disease? Be sure the doctor or nurse with whom you are speaking takes time to explain it all and don’t be afraid to ask them to repeat something if you don’t understand.

3. Take Notes: Taking notes can help as you may find that due to stress, your memory may not be as complete as it could be. Find out what level of care is necessary at home and, from an expertise standpoint, how much of that you should undertake. Be clear the best ways to communicate with your medical care providers. Some prefer the phone while others may be fine with email.

There is certainly much more to being a caregiver than what these three tips suggest. As more people are being called upon to take care of loved ones, the number of households providing care for a loved one has tripled in the last decade. Longer life spans, shorter hospital stays and controlling medical costs all contribute to the increase.

NCFA reports that over half of all home caregivers for patients 50+ are already employed fulltime and juggle jobs and family responsibilities while caretaking. And, of course, they often do this by foregoing critical self care. The result is almost one-third of all adult children caregivers demonstrate symptoms of clinical depression. Care giving spouses who do not find ways to handle the inherent stress have a 63% higher chance of dying than non-care givers.

I encourage you to learn more about caregiving from NFCA. It’s a good idea to use professional assistance so that you can make well-founded choices. And I hope that all of your decisions will help you find ways to take care of yourself.

J. Dietrich Stroeh, founder of CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group, is author of Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing ( FolkHeart Press). For more information, visit www.threemonthsbook.com or emailfolk@folkheartpress.com. He will be a guest on Optimal Health Seekers Radio on April 22nd.

“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit. Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”

~Psalm 34:18-19~

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I am often amazed at how many of my brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering. Some suffer in silence, while others strive to make sense of the circumstances and illnesses that plague them by turning to others who are just as perplexed, if not completely misguided in their “perception” of the human condition.

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Some believers have even voiced their opinions so strongly about illness and pain being the fault of the one who suffers that the sick one becomes bogged down in despair. Their heart is broken and their spirit is crushed. But God’s Word tells us that “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted” and “He saves those crushed in spirit”.

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One of the biggest problems I have is turning to others rather than the Lord for the source of my strength and healing. I don’t do it on purpose. In fact, when I turn to other Christians, I assume their word is God’s law and that’s not always the case. I’ve learned that God uses all of us to further His kingdom in Christ but, ultimately, our responsibility is to “Seek FIRST God’s kingdom and HIS righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

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God’s Word also says the righteous are often set with many adversities. But God delivers them from them all. It doesn’t say, God might deliver us. It doesn’t say God will only deliver us from some of the adversities. It doesn’t even say God will let us wallow in that adversity. God WILL deliver us from ALL of them.

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What a comfort I find in this truth. No matter how bad things get, God will deliver me from it all. That’s a truth that is promised to every believer.
I’m learning to rely more on the Lord. I’m learning it’s not the responsibility of my sisters and brothers in Christ to carry my burdens. This doesn’t mean I can’t and don’t share my concerns. We are told to share them with one another but we MUST pray that the Lord will comfort us and deliver us in His perfect time.

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I love being able to help and minister to others. I truly believe the Lord has called me to this ministry and I embrace it wholeheartedly. However, I have had to learn to balance my involvement because there is a fine line between encouraging and enabling. I rely on the Lord’s wisdom to guide me in this.

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The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. There is nothing better than knowing we can trust Him no matter what happens. God never changes and His mercy never fails.

Carol Shinde is a single mother to her 8-year-old son and will be getting married very soon to a wonderful man who understands the ups and downs of chronic illness. Although Carol has a number of health issues, including dysautonomia, she refuses to let them have her. Carol has been featured on www.OptimalHealthSeekers.com radio and you can listen to her interview here: Carol Shinde: Spirit of the Pheonix. Writing since she was a teenager, Carol started blogging about 5 years ago. Having an affinity to singing, music has been a major part of her life since she was 2-years-old and continues to play an important role to this day.   God is ABSOLUTELY her strength and her song. Hear her sing here.

“Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”
~Romans 12:11-12~

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These two verses resonated within me. I don’t know. Perhaps it’s because I am so often afflicted with my health issues. I was encouraged by these verses. They reminded me to press on. Continue serving the Lord despite the circumstances.

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In the book, The Traveler’s Gift, the archangel Gabriel talks to David Ponder.
“Circumstances are rulers of the weak,” Gabriel said, “but they are weapons of the wise. Must you be bent and flayed by every situation you encounter?” David frowned. Smiling, Gabriel pressed his point: “That is a question, David Ponder. Are your emotions and resolve controlled by circumstances?”

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…”Circumstances do not push or pull. They are daily lessons to be studied and gleaned for knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge and wisdom that is applied will bring about a brighter tomorrow. A person who is depressed is spending too much time thinking about the way things are now and not enough time thinking about how he wants things to be.”

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There is so much truth in those statements. Circumstances do not need to dictate to us how we feel. Or rather, we don’t have to allow our feelings to dictate how we will respond in any circumstance. The Lord gives us the strength to rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, and be persistent in prayer.

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All three of those things work together. They work ideally when they are practiced together.

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I have to admit, I’m not as strong in prayer as I should be. When my prayer time is lacking, I find it hard to focus on rejoicing in hope or being patient in affliction. Prayer is essential and I seem to falter during the times when things go well. However, when things get bad, I am right there crying at the feet of the Father. That is so fair weather of me. I don’t want to be that kind of friend to anyone. Most of all, though, I don’t want to be that way to God.

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Diligence is definitely not a strongpoint for me. Well, not all the time. How funny that sounds. I’m only diligent sometimes. That’s a bit of an oxymoron. I know I’m not alone in this though. We all struggle and have our weaknesses. However, the Lord is so gracious to us. He recognizes our weaknesses and gives us the strength and conviction to turn things around. Thank the Lord He is persistent and does not lack in diligence. Thank God He is fervent and patient. Jesus was that perfect model that exemplified all that Paul states in Romans 12:11-12.

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So, let’s press on. Let’s practice diligence, have a fervent spirit, and serve the Lord. Let’s rejoice in hope, be patient in our affliction, and continue to be persistent in prayer for each other.
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“The Travelers Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success” by Andy Andrews; May 2, 2005

Carol Shinde is a single mother to her 8-year-old son and will be getting married very soon to a wonderful man who understands the ups and downs of chronic illness. Although Carol has a number of health issues, including dysautonomia, she refuses to let them have her. Carol has been featured on www.OptimalHealthSeekers.com radio and you can listen to her interview here: Carol Shinde: Spirit of the Pheonix. Writing since she was a teenager, Carol started blogging about 5 years ago. Having an affinity to singing, music has been a major part of her life since she was 2-years-old and continues to play an important role to this day.   God is ABSOLUTELY her strength and her song. Hear her sing here.

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Now I know what ails me! But seriously speaking, it does not surprise me at all.

A January 25, 2012, British research study published in PLoS ONE Journal indicates that people who work 11 or more hours a day have double the odds of becoming depressed compared with those who don’t work overtime. But why is this important for us as employers to know?

Common mental illnesses, such as depression, are an important public health concern. According to projections by the World Health Organisation, depressive disorders will be the leading cause of disease burden in high-income countries by 2030. In addition to human misery, mental illnesses often result in substantial work impairment and lost work days. Closer to home, according to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, mental illnesses and mental health issues are the leading cause of short- and long-term disability in Canada. The cost of dealing with these issues is in the range of $51 billion per year, with almost $20 billion of that amount coming from workplace losses.

What the study tells us

The study was funded by the British Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation, Stroke Association, United States National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and the US National Institute on Aging. Several authors participated, led by Dr. Marianna Virtanen of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and University College London.

The study followed 2,123 middle-aged civil servants for six years. Most of the civil servants, 52 percent, worked a regular workday. Another 37 percent averaged 9- or 10-hour days and 11 percent clocked 11 hours or more. All of the subjects were considered mentally healthy when they started the study. After six years, just over three percent were diagnosed with clinical depression. Those who worked an average of at least 11 hours a day showed up to 2.5 times the risk of a major depressive episode compared with those working a standard seven- to eight-hour day, the researchers found.

“Although occasionally working overtime may have benefits for the individual and society, it is important to recognize that working excessive hours is also associated with an increased risk of major depression,” says Dr. Virtanen.

Although they do not yield exactly the same results, several other ongoing studies in various countries concur, suggesting that long working hours may increase the risk of various adverse outcomes, including psychological distress and symptoms of depression and anxiety, decline in cognitive function and new-onset sleep disturbances. However, others have yielded a completely opposite point of view.

For example, in a follow-up of Canadians over 1–2 years, working 41 hours or more per week compared to 35–40 hours was associated with a higher rate of new-onset major depressive episode among women but not among men. Another study with a 24-year follow-up did not find any association between “overtime work” and incidence of depressive disorder, including cases of subclinical depression.

It is important to note that as all civil servants are white-collar workers, it remains to be seen whether the recent findings can be applied to blue-collar workers and employees in the private sector. There is a need and a call for additional studies, including research to examine whether interventions designed to reduce working hours would alter depression risk in working populations.

In addition, plausible explanations of why long working hours are associated with the development of depression cannot be drawn directly from the study. There are too many outside factors such as work-family conflicts, difficulties in unwinding after work, or prolonged increased cortisol levels (level of the hormone cortisol in the blood). The effect of long working hours on mental health may also be different in women and men. To date, the exact cause of depression is not known, but it is widely assumed that it is multifactorial involving genetic, biological and psychosocial factors.

A Canadian perspective

A new study by the Institute for Work & Health on Canadian workers published in American Journal of Public Health also finds that increases in job demands can increase the risk of depression. Depression has in fact a work-related component.

The study examined the effects of changes in job control (the ability to make decisions and use skills at work), psychological demands (the pace and mental intensity of work) and social support on subsequent depression. Using the National Population Health Survey, researchers looked for these effects among 3,735 Canadians who were ages 25 to 60 in 2000–01, and who worked at some point in both 2000–01 and 2002–03. One key finding: increases in psychological demands are more important than declines in job control for the onset of depression in Canadian workers.

What can employers take from these studies?

Work-related depression, mental illness and stress arises where work demands of various types and combinations (e.g., overtime, heavy workload) exceed the person’s capacity and capability to cope. For example, a person might feel under pressure if the demands of their job (such as hours or responsibilities) are greater than they can comfortably manage. Other sources of work-related stress or mental illness include conflict with co-workers or bosses, constant change and threats to job security, such as potential redundancy.

It is important to note that employees are not all the same. What one person may perceive as stressful, however, another may view as challenging. It will all depend on their job, their physical and emotional make-up, their health, personal life and other factors. Also, what may be challenging at one point may become stressful when certain factors change or time elapses.

It is important for employers to recognize work-related stress and mental illnesses such as depression as a significant health and safety issue. A company can and should take steps to ensure that employees are not subjected to unnecessary stress at work.

Employers should think of cutting down on the need for overtime by reorganizing duties or employing extra staff. Encourage an environment where employees have more say over their duties, promotional prospects and safety. Take into account the personal lives of employees and recognize that the demands of home will sometimes clash with the demands of work, and make sure that everyone is properly trained for their job, among other measures. Also, employers should not stigmatize the issue of mental illness, but invite employees to openly discuss the issue by implementing a stress management program where all employees can participate.

Reproduced from: First Reference Talks

“But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
~James 1:6~

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There are so many illustrations that come to my mind when I think of how my illnesses affect me. At one time I used to think I was the only one who was experiencing the continual physical and mental anguish of my illness. I would find myself struggling to keep my head above water, even spiritually. During my darkest times I felt as if I were alone and would be swallowed up whole by all of my senses. It was overwhelming. It is still overwhelming at times.

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I used to wonder if my turmoil would ever end. It was frustrating and I felt so alone. I remember one specific time when I was so lonely and angry. I had been in a Bible study group and I ended up having to quit. When I quit and wasn’t able to attend church, I no longer could see my friends. I was out of sight and out of mind. It hurt so deeply. These were individuals I held close to my heart and thought were my best friends. At the time, I was so caught up within my own misery that I couldn’t see my life being meaningless to other people. Of course, that was just how I perceived it because I was alone and miserable and grieving the loss of all I once took for granted.

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I took my health for granted until I got sick. I was oblivious to just how blessed I was to have those moments of amusement parks and hikes. I was spoiled beyond belief. It took me many years to understand my life matters to God and it mattered to my friends. However, my friends were caught in their own lives and their own turmoil. I didn’t see that. I couldn’t see that because I was so needy of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

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I was unreasonable in my terms. I was expecting them to fulfill all the needs that only Jesus Christ can fill. I saw their lack as an example to God’s lacking in my life. I thought God failed me. I didn’t see this experience as a blessing at the time. It was one of the darkest times I had been through. I’ve been through probably about five major dark times that impacted my life.

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It was during this time, I began to read my Bible more and pray often. My prayers were full of tears and pleading. Many a night I literally imagined myself laying my head upon the lap of Jesus as I sobbed helplessly into my pillow. I would imagine His hand stroking my head as I cried myself to sleep. I found comfort in this visual. I knew I wasn’t alone.

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The Lord began to renew my heart and mend the brokenness. This didn’t happen overnight. It took many years for the Lord to change my outlook on things. I started looking for ways I could minister to others since my needs weren’t being met. I stopped focusing on myself so much and started focusing on God and my personal relationship with Him.

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I started experiencing the gentle hand of the Father coaxing me to encourage others. My encouragement and hope was now coming from the Lord and I wanted to share that encouragement with others. I didn’t have all the answers and I still don’t. However, I do know one thing. No one on this earth will ever bring peace to the wounded soul. The only one who can do this is Jesus Christ.

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Jesus understands everything we go through. He faced it head on when He was nailed to that cross. He experienced misunderstanding, segregation, prejudice, judgment, and even physical pain. He experienced death for us. Nothing can compare to Jesus or His sacrifice.

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I am not always happy with my situation but I am forever joyful because of the hope I have in Christ. Life will never be easy. Anyone who tells you it will be is not telling the truth. The truth is there are many sorrows. However, we can hope in the Lord. He will one day return and we will be free of all illness and pain. This storm of life will cease to churn. The rolling of the waves will become still. We won’t be tossed or thrown about anymore. Our faith will be made whole.

Carol Shinde is a single mother to her 8-year-old son and will be getting married very soon to a wonderful man who understands the ups and downs of chronic illness. Although Carol has a number of health issues, including dysautonomia, she refuses to let them have her. Carol has been featured on www.OptimalHealthSeekers.com radio and you can listen to her interview here: Carol Shinde: Spirit of the Pheonix. Writing since she was a teenager, Carol started blogging about 5 years ago. Having an affinity to singing, music has been a major part of her life since she was 2-years-old and continues to play an important role to this day.   God is ABSOLUTELY her strength and her song. Hear her sing here.

Having had a disability for over 40 years, Annette was employed in healthcare for 25 years and has owned several businesses. She is an active member on committees and councils dealing with disability issues.

Annette is working on a Ph.D. in economics, focusing on the economics of disability and disability policy. More info at www.Accessing-Ability.com.

“I never considered my disability to be a reason to not work and contribute to this world. While I’ve worked in a number of settings, it all eventually led to helping persons with disabilities become or remain who they are.” ~ Annette Bourbonniere

Having difficulty:

• Finding the job that’s right for you?
• Discussing accommodations with an employer?
• Responding to co-workers’ questions about disability?

Listen to the recording on the player below as Annette Bourbonniere offers valuable tips on self-advocacy in an employment setting.

OPTIMAL HEALTH SEEKERS’ RADIO, airing Sundays at 4pm Eastern, is a 30-minute online radio show that educates, inspires and empowers people seeking to find their own personal level of optimal health.

Host Trish Robichaud brings a voice of compassion, logic and humour to those who are motivated to take an active, even proactive role in managing their health.

Please use the icons below to tweet on Twitter, post on Facebook and share on other networks about this empowering radio show! Thanks!

Toronto police have settled a human rights claim filed by a paraplegic man arrested during the G20 summit, but the terms will not be made public due to a confidentiality clause.

Gabriel Jacobs, a panhandler paralyzed from the waist down, filed a claim with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario last year, after he was arrested during the 2010 summit and later released without charge.

According to the claim, Jacobs was “dragged” from his motorized wheelchair, thrown into the back of a police cruiser and left on the floor of a temporary G20 detention centre where he defecated on himself because guards refused to help him.

Tess Sheldon, Jacobs’ lawyer, told the Star the claim was settled Friday, but said the terms “remain confidential.”

“The matter has been resolved to the mutual satisfaction of all parties,” said Sheldon, who handled the case pro bono with ARCH Disability Law Centre.

Jacobs, 48, sought $100,000 in compensation for humiliation and loss of dignity in his claim, filed against the arresting officer, the Toronto Police Services Board and Police Chief Bill Blair.

The claim also asked for mandatory human rights training for police and an order for the police board to develop policies to better accommodate the disabled in jails and temporary holding centres.

Sheldon said she could not disclose the amount awarded to Jacobs. While she confirmed the police force is undergoing policy changes regarding the treatment of disabled people, she could not confirm if this was as a direct result of Jacobs’ claim.

“Given the upcoming policy changes, we are optimistic that Mr. Jacobs’ experience will not be repeated for others,” she said.

Mark Pugash, director of corporate communications for the Toronto police, said he could not comment on the settlement because of its confidential nature.

When asked if the settlement could be seen as an admission of guilt by the police, Pugash said “settlements, by definition, do not involve any admission of any kind.”

Reached at his subsidized apartment near Dundas St. E. and Sherbourne St. Tuesday night, Jacobs said he was “content and satisfied” with the outcome.

“I just did the best that I could to help other handicapped individuals,” he said.

But Doug Johnson Hatlem, a downtown Toronto street pastor and advocate for Jacobs, called the settlement “hush money.”

“(Jacobs) never found out the names of the officers who did this so you have a certain amount of money being paid to buy impunity for officers who treated one of our most vulnerable like a ragdoll.”

With files from David Rider

Republished from: TheStar.com

“But now God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body just as He wanted.”
~1 Corinthians 12:18~

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Those of us who struggle with chronic pain, illness, and other limitations sometimes find this hard to believe. This world tries to convince us that our limitations and disabilities define us. If we can’t work and don’t have our health, we are useless.

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That is such a clear message within the government and the healthcare system in the United States. It becomes harder and harder for those with chronic illness to advocate ourselves and to get the help required when so many doctors are denying healthcare to those who are on Medicaid.

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It’s a nightmare to make our way through the maze of bureaucracy and red tape the government and insurances place within the healthcare system.

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On top of this, we deal with stigmas and prejudices from those who do not understand chronic issues. I don’t look sick. I look healthy and have a positive attitude. I do my best to find what I can do instead of dwelling on what I can’t anymore.

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Recently, I was prescribed a wheelchair by my doctor for my own safety and a little more independence. I see this as a chance to gain my mobility. Some of those who have known me for years are finding it harder to accept than I am. They are grieving my losses when I don’t see them that way at all.

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I understand where they’re coming from but I think they feel awkward and it scares them a bit. I’m only 41-years-old and I have lost a lot. However, I feel I’ve gained even more. I have a different perspective on my life and I don’t see this as a means to an end.

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On the contrary, I have a spirit within me that soars. Those of us, who know Christ, are a part of the body of Christ. This body of Christ has many different duties to perform. Each of us has a gift and we are placed where we need to be.

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Even those of us with chronic issues have a purpose within the body. I believe my purpose is to do the best I can do in the circumstances that I’m given. I believe I am meant to encourage others who are disheartened and dismayed over their chronic issues. I believe I am meant to remind them that Jesus holds the key to giving us a healthy perspective with what we have been given. I also believe my chronic issues can be used as a tool to educate others.

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God has a purpose for us all. No matter what the world says or believes. God says we are in the body just as He wanted.

Carol Shinde is a single mother to her 8-year-old son and will be getting married very soon to a wonderful man who understands the ups and downs of chronic illness. Although Carol has a number of health issues, including dysautonomia, she refuses to let them have her. Carol has been featured on www.OptimalHealthSeekers.com radio and you can listen to her interview here: Carol Shinde: Spirit of the Pheonix. Writing since she was a teenager, Carol started blogging about 5 years ago. Having an affinity to singing, music has been a major part of her life since she was 2-years-old and continues to play an important role to this day.   God is ABSOLUTELY her strength and her song. Hear her sing here.

“… Strengthening the hearts of the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith, and by telling them, ‘it is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God’.”
~Acts 14:22~

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Who wants to go through many troubles on our way to the kingdom of God? I know I don’t. Yet Luke reminds of exactly this. He wants to encourage the disciples to continue in the faith but he then adds the necessity of passing through MANY troubles on our way to God’s kingdom. Huh??? It just doesn’t make sense to those who don’t know Christ. It doesn’t even make sense for those who do know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

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Personally, I hate going through what I have to go through on a daily basis. I’m sure others can attest to this. I hate that my body is breaking down and there is nothing I can do to stop it. I hate that I have to rely on a walker or wheelchair now in order to have some semblance of quality to this life.

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Each day I am reminded of my humanity and yet my spirit longs to fly. If I dwell on my human limitations, I become discouraged and depressed. However, when I recognize that this is a part of my “many troubles” and accept it as part of my life, there is a freedom which comes from letting go.

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My biggest obstacle is learning to accept myself where I am now and realize that my limitations do not diminish God’s love for me. I struggle with liking myself now but that’s not the issue. It’s not about me. It’s about where I am in my relationship with the Lord and letting Him be my strength and shield.

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I don’t have all the answers. I won’t even pretend to have them. But I do know one thing. Luke was an honest man. If he had just filled the disciples with flowery words of encouragement and not mentioned about the difficulties life offers on the way to God, many souls probably would have been lost.

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I think Christians try to placate too much. They try to emphasize the good so much that they block out the difficulties we face in the moment. I don’t know how many times I see the smiles on the faces of people at church who I know are hurting deeply. They feel they have to be something they’re not or act a certain way to be accepted. Yes, there are those who are truly joyful and grateful to the Lord but there are also those brothers and sisters who are still in the grieving process of their life and need the encouragement to muddle through.

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This is where I am. I’m in my grieving process. I grieve that I will NEVER be able to do things the way I used to. But you know what? I’m learning it is okay. It doesn’t mean I can’t do things anymore. It just means I have to use my ingenuity and come up with a different approach to my life. Life will still be hard because I have to think a little harder when it comes to getting out and about.

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I am only disabled if I allow my mind to disable. We all have choices in life and those choices can either benefit us or hurt us. I’m reading a book called “The Traveler’s Gift”. It deals with the seven decisions that determine personal success. The two that stuck out the most were: choosing to be happy and choosing to forgive.

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Anne Frank was the example used in choosing to be happy. She chose to not let the fear of capture by the Nazi’s determine her emotions. That was such a powerful example.

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Abraham Lincoln was the one who was used as an example in choosing forgiveness. So often, we think a person needs to ask for forgiveness before we are obligated to forgive. This isn’t so. Forgiveness is a gift given and a choice made. Abraham Lincoln had to be willing to forgive those who wronged him during the Civil War. He fought for what was right. He fought to bring equality among men and abolish slavery.

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Those are two individuals who understood the many troubles we go through before reaching God’s kingdom. Just because we don’t like what we face doesn’t mean we have the right to act out disobediently. That’s really hard to recognize when we live in a country where we feel our liberty and freedom is deserved. Who says?!

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If we truly got what we deserved God would not have sent His son to die for us or give us a reason to live. I guess I feel humbled right now. I am humbled not only physically, at this moment, but also spiritually as well. Who am I to complain when I have a life in Christ to boast about?

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It all comes down to perspective. Do I follow the world’s perspective of suffering or do I choose to follow the example Christ gave?
Yes, life is full of troubles but Jesus makes everything worthwhile. You see, what we go through can encourage others as they struggle too. We can share Christ’s strength and love in our life with others or we can feel sorry for ourselves and never experience that joy that abounds in Christ.

Carol Shinde is a single mother to her 8-year-old son and will be getting married very soon to a wonderful man who understands the ups and downs of chronic illness. Although Carol has a number of health issues, including dysautonomia, she refuses to let them have her. Carol has been featured on www.OptimalHealthSeekers.com radio and you can listen to her interview here: Carol Shinde: Spirit of the Pheonix. Writing since she was a teenager, Carol started blogging about 5 years ago. Having an affinity to singing, music has been a major part of her life since she was 2-years-old and continues to play an important role to this day.   God is ABSOLUTELY her strength and her song. Hear her sing here.