How to Heal a Hurting Heart

Thank you Gwen Smith for today’s message:

A friend of ours has struggled with heart problems for years. He has gone through seasons of wellness and seasons of strain. Recently, his health challenges moved from the back burner of his life to the front when his doctors recognized the need to operate.

He didn’t just need a simple procedure. He needed open heart surgery to the max. I mean we are talking valve replacements, ablations, hole repairs and more. You name it – and the surgeon pretty much had to do it.

In the wee hours of the morning prior to his surgery, our friend’s heart decided to cause problems that led them to the Emergency Room instead of the Operating Room. Thankfully, his surgeon rushed to the scene and took him right into surgery.

Hours later, his heart was repaired. In the days that followed, scary set backs came and went. Each one was dealt with head on. Thankfully, after 8 days in the hospital, our friend was able to go home yesterday.

I asked his wife how I could pray for him. Was there anything specific?

Her answer surprised me. “Just pray that he will have the will to press on through the healing process because it is going to be a long, hard haul.”

When I hung up from our conversation, I paused and reflected on her request.

In essence, I will be praying for him to have the heart {the strength, the guts, the determination} to fight for his heart to heal fully.

Wow. I know that struggle well.

Week after week, friend after friend, loved one after loved one, struggle after struggle, conversation after conversation… this is one of the biggest challenges we face. Having a heart fixed on healing. To press through to a place of wellness and strength: spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. To not back down from the resistance before us in light of the rewards that await us. To run the race of faith well!

I’ve asked God for forgiveness, but I just don’t know how to forgive myself.

I know the Bible says God loves me, but I feel invisible. I don’t FEEL loved and adored.

I believe that God has a plan for my life, but I’m so tired of waiting for it to develop.

I want restoration in my relationship, but I will not be the one to make the first move.

I’ve lost my love and hate being alone. I no longer have the will to live or dream.

I know my eating patterns are unhealthy and they undermine my wellness, but God loves me just the way I am!

I worry all the time and struggle with anxiety. I really want to trust God, but often fail.

After we go through initial heart repairs with Jesus, many of us find ourselves as wounded believers. Close to whole, but still broken. We want healing but won’t or don’t know how to move forward in the direction of the Healer toward the complete wholeness He has for us.

This is hard stuff. I know. I struggle too. We all do.

Ultimately: every one of us is a work in progress. Our challenges and failures are real and should be acknowledged and confessed. But our faith that God can and will tend to our wounds must be greater.

So I join in prayer as our friend faces months of therapy, doctors appointments, medicine changes, financial strains, emotional exhaustion, and unseen struggles.

And I’m grateful that we pray to the one, true God who loves, sees, hears, purifies, answers, comforts, protects, forgives, provides for, refines, restores, redeems and heals those who cry out to Him. He is the great Surgeon who rushes to us in our emergency rooms and takes us to the operating room of His presence.

The One who knows how to care for every wound, burden and bruise we bear.

So, when your heart needs healing: PRAY.

Pray when loneliness, laziness, or depression takes up residence in your heart. Pray when you are tempted to anesthetize with food, wine, exercise, shopping, or pain pills. Pray when the arms of that man seem more attractive than the purity you are called to in Christ. Pray when your doubts seem stronger than your faith.

Press through barriers in the strength of Jesus. His plan is good. His power is unending. His faithfulness is unwavering. His presence is accessible 24/7.

Move in His direction and give Him the burdens of your heart.

Pray.

Believe.

Trust.

Have a blessed day!

 

De-Stress Your Mind and Body

“Self-care is not selfish or self-indulgent. We cannot nurture others from a dry well. We need to take care of our own needs first, and then we can give from our surplus, our abundance.”           Jennifer Louden

Happy Friday!  This isn’t just any Friday.  It is the Friday of a holiday weekend.  For many, it will be the kickoff to 3 days of family, fun and sun.  For some, they will use this time to relax and recharge while others will think of the million things that need to get done.

Yup, I am the one who pushes myself.  For years, I didn’t seem to have an off switch.  I mean to be successful you need to work hard, right?  I am learning that self-care is important for me to reach my BIG goals.  Sometimes I think the latest round of health challenges was the wake up call that I needed so I had no choice but to nurture and heal myself.

It can be tough finding time to practice self-care, we all need to nurture ourselves—emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally.  Here are some tips that you can start to practice this weekend…

1. Take ownership.

Take personal responsibility for your wellness. We need to form and maintain healthy habits that enable us to thrive. No one else can do this for us.

2. Commit.

It wasn’t until the brain fog, the chronic tiredness along with the aches and pains set in was I willing to make a commitment.  It was when I was unable to do the things that I loved that realized the many things that I took for granted.  Identify the self-care practices that help you function at your best—meditation, short walks, getting out in nature; anything that helps you recharge physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. Then schedule these activities into your day.  Start with just 10-minutes a day so it isn’t so overwhelming.

3. Practice mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the foundation of self-care, because we’re only able to identify our needs when we’re present in our bodies. Mindfulness also nourishes our spirit by rooting us in the present moment. By practicing mindfulness, we become engaged with our surroundings.  Meditation is a great way to get a sense of calm, peace, and balance.

4. Take breaks for deep breathing.

I always thought this was crazy BUT taking regular mini breathing breaks throughout my day helps me to connect my mind, body, and spirit. Believe it or not, a few deep breaths during the day also energizes me.

When you breathe in, feel the gratitude for your life.  When you breathe out, et go of all the unnecessary demands that you place on yourself.

5. Nourish your spirit.

This could be getting outside and enjoying nature—a leisurely walk at sunrise or sunset, a swim in the ocean, or even just stepping outside into the fresh air and stopping to acknowledge how truly miraculous the world is. It is the simplest of acts that will fill your spirit with light.

6. Beware the “busy life.”

We are all BUSY.  Some believe it is a sign of success. How successful are you when you are stressed, exhausted, physically and mentally depleted, and missing out on opportunities for joy in your daily life?  I am trying to set boundaries so I am not using being too busy as an excuse for living a beautiful life.

7. Keep it simple.

It is only when we slow down that we’re able to recognize all the chaos that can fill our world. Keeping life simple is now a priority.  Where can you simplify or scale back? Where are you creating unnecessary stress or drama in your life?  When I keep it simple, I am open to accepting more love, laughter, joy, and happiness into my world.

8. Recognize and eliminate energy drains.

Who and what drains your energy?   What habits, activities, or relationships aren’t healthy for you? What, if eliminated, would provide a huge sense of relief?  When you are exhausted, and your energy is depleted, you need to learn to manage and replenish your energy—mind, body, and spirit—so that you can recover quickly.

You are worthy of self-love and self-care every day. We all are. For every positive choice we make, we support our mind, body, and spirit. Self-care fuels us with the strength and energy we need to achieve all of our dreams.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Simple Wellness Tips

It’s Saturday!!!  For those who work the traditional work week, today is catch up day.  Time for laundry, errands, sports, time with family and friends… I could go on but you get the idea.  In the midst of it all, here are some quick and easy ways to get and keep well….

Practice some #self-love today.  It could be 5-minutes or hours – the amount of time doesn’t matter, just that you do it!  You deserve it!  Put yourself at the top of your to do list every single day and the rest will fall into place.

Everything in moderation.  Want a taste of the chocolate cake?  Have a bite! Has it been forever since you had (fill in the blank)? Have some and satisfy the craving.  The more you deprive yourself, the greater the chance of over-indulging when you do have that treat.

While you were thinking about doing it, you could be done. Set an alarm, get it in and enjoy your day!!!

Surround yourself with as much positivity as possible, and try not to let self doubt hold you back.

Water, water, and MORE water!!!  We have all heard this a zillion times but how often do we do it.  I do okay in the warmer months but in the COLD, it isn’t happening.

Always seize the opportunity to make others feel good. It creates a glow from the inside out, that even the best creams or tonics can’t give you!

Starting the day off with hot water and lemon!  I have been doing this for a year now and I do feel better after the initial pucker power.

What is YOUR best WELLNESS tip?  Share for a chance to win a FREE gift.  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Kicking Sugar to the Curb

Hello, Monday morning.  You have just had your coffee.  Maybe you had a little bit of coffee with that cream and sugar.  Maybe you had some Frosted Flakes (used to be my favorite breakfast cereal because I could eat it dry!).    Chances are you had SUGAR in whatever you had for breakfast and before long that sugar crash will happen, right?

I have been struggling with health issues and after kicking dairy, I moved on to being gluten free.  A little bit harder and I’m still not 100%.  Now it is time to move to

I never thought of myself as a “sweet eater”.  More of a stress eater or even a “secret eater”.  This weekend, I really had to evaluate where I was in “Giving sugar the boot!”

Hubby is trying to kick refined sugar so I figure if the sweet eater himself can do it, so can I.  Refined sugar is one of many factors in a yucky, unhealthy lifestyle. So I’m going to try it!

I kicked cigarettes “cold turkey” so I am thinking that is the way to go.  I am going with the “one day at a time” theme which at any given moment can be “one minute at a time”.

Sugar pros: YUM.
Sugar cons: Goodbye nutrients, minerals, vitamins. Hello high blood sugar, energy crashes, high cholesterol, diabetes and weight gain.. to name a few.

Sugar is hiding EVERYWHERE — from your morning oatmeal, to the sauce on your pasta and packed into my favorite drink – WINE!  Let’s be honest, are we going to give up the occasional glass of wine (or your favorite drink)?  Probably not  but I’m going to do my best to limit it the best I can.  The keys is reading labels, so be prepared for your next trip to the grocery store to take awhile.

Did you know that 4 grams of sugar = 1 teaspoon?  YIKES! No, ladies, should try sticking to six teaspoons daily, tops. Men can have nine.  It figures!

First stop is to clean out your pantry! Now, I know this is tough with kids but move it out of your sight.  If you are like me, if it’s nearby, I’m going to be tempted!

FP Madisyn has some tips for us:

• Try cutting sugar out your own way, on your terms. If you want to ease into it, nothing is wrong with that!
• If you need something sweet, nibble on some dark dark chocolate.  This is bitter to me so I don’t want to eat much.
• Replace processed sugars with natural sweeteners. Find one that works for you.
• Drink tea! Rumor has it that drinking something warm, like pomegranate green tea, helps mellow out your sweet tooth and calms cravings.

Don’t beat yourself up. Your friend’s birthday? Eat cake! Need a treat? Treat yourself!  Just don’t let it lead to a downward spiral to eating more sugar.

The best advice is to be aware and do the best you can. Whatever steps you take to kiss sugar goodbye are positive ones.

Not sure how this will go but I am hoping that it will help with my weight loss AND help with the MS symptoms.

So, how do you kick sugar’s butt? Let me know your secret!

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!