Today I have the honor of hosting my good friend Heather Chesterson. She walks through trial every day, and her hope in God’s plan for her future is inspiring. I pray you are encouraged by her words today.
Fibromyalgia…
What a big, scary, gross, ugly word…
Let me tell you that I know a little something about pain. I’m not talking about a sprained ankle or a broken heart, but I’ve had my fair share of both. I’m talking about chronic pain. Pain that never goes away. Pain that doesn’t get better with rest, a little ice or a Tylenol. I’m talking about pain that interrupts daily activities and can suck the fun right out of everything that makes life enjoyable. I can tell you about it from the inside.
It wasn’t until my diagnosis about 2 1/2 years ago, that I even knew what this nasty disease was, except for the commercials on TV. Let me just tell you that the ads don’t even begin to come close. The definition of fibromyalgia is: is a medical condition characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened and painful response to pressure. My definition is a little bit different and sometimes best described using symbols rather than words.
On my BEST days I feel like I have the flu (just without the fever.) All of my joints ache, I don’t have any energy and it’s hard to focus. On my WORST days… on my worst days it’s a struggle to simply get out of bed. I feel like I’ve been in a car accident. I compare it to the whiplash I suffered several years ago. I have a stabbing pain at my collarbone that lances through my body and comes out between my shoulder blades. Sometimes it hurts to take a deep breath. There is a pain in my hips and lower back that feels like someone has a foot in my spine and is ripping my pelvis in half. The skin on my shoulders and arms is so sensitive I can hardly stand to wear a shirt sometimes. Truth be told it hurts so bad I’ve peed a little during a vigorous hug from someone who didn’t know my struggle with chronic pain.
As if the physical pain weren’t enough there is also a psychological component. There is a loss of memory and focus referred to as “fibro fog” and an increase of stress and anxiety. I tend to keep some strange hours too because I suffer from insomnia even with medication to help. It hurts my heart to cancel plans or to go back on my word after I’ve said I would do something and my body just won’t let me.
The biggest problem is that it constantly changes. Fibromyalgia is different for everyone and it even varies each day for those that suffer from it. I can never predict from one day to the next where I’ll hurt or how bad it will be and if it will affect those around me. Lately, basic chores just don’t get done without the help of my extremely supportive (and handsome) husband. He works 2 jobs. He helps with dishes and laundry. He takes care of anything and everything that my body won’t let me do, all while encouraging me to do what I can without pushing too hard. We celebrate even the smallest victory and he draws me out when I get a little stuck inside myself.
In my darkest times, when it hurts just to relax on the couch and all I can do is cry… I cry out to Jesus. (I’m pretty sure Third Day wrote a song about that…). My Savior knows my pain and trust me when I say He knows yours too. He loves all of His children and He wants to hear from you! It’s alright to feel sad. It’s alright to be mad. It’s even alright to be overwhelmed. JUST DON’T STAY THERE!!! 
Sometimes I have to plaster on a smile and grin through the pain. I still love to laugh and have a good time. I still serve my church by watching babies and help in the kitchen when a worker bee is needed. My husband and I were even blessed to go on our first mission trip together to Wind River Ranch in Colorado this past spring. With the pain and difficulty breathing, it was one of the hardest things I’ve EVER done. To do it with my best friend, a whole lot of prayers and support from my awesome friends and knowing the amazing things God would do at the ranch with a little help from me… made all the pain worth it. A happy heart can take your mind off of your own troubles. Try volunteering and helping someone else, no matter how small it may be.
One thing makes it all bearable. I know that one day I WILL be healed. It won’t be tomorrow or next week. It probably won’t be next year or even the one after that. Truth is, I don’t know when it will be. But I am fully confident that on that day when God calls me home, He will heal my broken body. He’ll take all my pain just like Jesus took all my sin. 
Open your Bible to read God’s word and His promises. He will NEVER leave you or forsake you. He promises that He only wants the best for you and He allows seasons for a time. I truly believe that God allows things to happen to us, good and bad, in order for us to learn lessons and pass it on to others that come through the same thing. Every situation and time of trial is an opportunity for growth and learning. Jesus isn’t going to drop joy in your lap while you’re wallowing in self pity! You have to seek it out. Seek Him out. I encourage all of you to talk to Him. Tell Him that you are struggling. Tell Him that you need extra help and encouragement. He’ll place the people in your life that you need, if He hasn’t already.You do have to work for it a little. Choose Jesus. Choose joy. Choose to smile. 
If you or anyone you love suffers from fibromyalgia, here are three resources that I hope help you in your journey:
Self care tips: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/in-depth/fibromyalgia-self-care-tips/art-20093313
and: http://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/fibromyalgia/stress-management-fibromyalgia
10 things not to say: http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/5949/100602/fibromyalgia
Awesome article Miss Heather!
Thanks, Janet. I will pass along your comments and encouragement to Heather