Yesterday was my fifth anniversary of being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Of course, signs along the way indicate I’ve had it for much longer. On one hand it was a relief that I wasn’t going crazy and was not being a hypochondriac. On the other hand it was very scary. The more research I did on the illness, the more scary it got. There is no cause and there is no cure. Not a very pretty picture.
Something that helped me work through the grief that I experienced after the diagnosis was to write my book, Fearless. It chronicles my journey of how I was able to gain strength from God through the grief process. Today in my inbox were two email devotionals that I get that talked about the same thing.
The first one is from Max Lucado from his book Anxious for Nothing called God’s Way is Always Best. The next one is from Ravi Zacharias International Ministries called A Slice of Infinity. The article was titled The Gifts of the Magi. I hope they will minister to you as they did to me. They both discuss how and why we can rest peacefully in the arms of God–no mater what!!
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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That must have been such a turbulent time for you. π
So glad you have the strength and peace of God to lean on and take courage from.
How can I purchase a copy of your book?
Love Hayley ππ
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Thank you so much! It is posted on Amazon. There are other books with the same name. So search by my name. Jo Ann Maxwell
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I definitely will do that! Thank you ππ
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I bought your book off Amazon, Jo Ann and should get it on Monday. Canβt wait to read it! Hayley ππ
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That is awesome!! Thank you!! ππ
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Acknowledgement of such a milestone is important – but hard to say ‘congratulations’ on it. Except in the case of the fact of your witness in the face of the obstacles thrown your way during that 5 year paradigm shift.
This chorus from an old fav worship song by Andre Crouch comes to mind as a sort of ‘congratulations’ attempt from myself to you:
“Through it all,
through it all,
Iβve learned to trust in Jesus,
Iβve learned to trust in God.
Through it all,
through it all,
Iβve learned to depend upon His Word.”
Take care
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Amen!! Thanks.
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I am glad you were able to write a book and it helped through the struggles of being diagnosed with MS. I know that it was an upsetting diagnosis but you are strong enough to continue to make it through! Congratulations on your book! I hope you are feeling well today and staying warm!!! Much love, Alyssa
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Thank you so much! Staying warm these days is very interesting. I donβt think North Carolina has had this many days under freezing ever!
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Next week is supposed to be in the 50’s or 60’s. Crazy weather!!!
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You can say that again!
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It is no wonder people keep getting sick though. Going from the 20’s and 30’s to the 50’s and 60’s is CRAZY! But, I won’t complain! I just hope it stays around a little while!!
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For sure!
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I remember being diagnosed with systemic scleroderma and then with colorectal cancer. The initial shock is so great. then comes a time for research and since the scleroderma was first I made all my “research” mistakes with that one. With the cancer I stuck to well known sources of information. I’m glad you have found sources of strength and support.
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Life is not easy, is it?
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