When people ask "What does it mean to be healthy?", a majority of people say to be healthy is eating foods that are full of vitamins and nutrients, getting plenty of sleep and getting the appropriate amount of daily exercise. Due to recent personal health issues, I have decided that there is much more to being healthy than I originally thought. Being healthy does not just come in a physical form, but a mental and spiritual form, as well.
A part of being healthy is being intuitive, in regards to the way your body works. For example, when you are catching a cold, you know that something just isn't right about how your body is working. It's the same principle with any other type of illness that you experience. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it's our job to be aware of your own body, because who really knows your body like you do (the answer is....NO ONE).
Recently I have been diagnosed with a Pituitary Adenoma. A Pituitary Adenoma is a small growth, or tumor, found at the base of the brain. It can cause severe headaches, dizziness, hormone imbalances and long term effects on the body. I had been having some symptoms for some time and finally decided to surrender all amounts of stubbornness and go to the doctor. At the doctors office, blood work was completed. After several days, I received the results, which indicated that my Prolactin levels were extremely high. An MRI was scheduled, which showed signs of a tumor. At first, I was beside myself. I had no idea what I was going to do and constantly thought the worst. I was filled with overwhelming amounts of fear, anxiety, curiosity, doubtfulness, negativity, judgment, discouragement, and caution. Throughout this process, several people have shown me encouragement, light, and have shed more prayers on me than I am worthy of.
At the beginning of this process, all I could focus on were "what ifs", anxiety, negative accusations and thoughts. After days of negative thoughts, worrying and feeling down I finally decided to muster up enough courage to STOP worrying, so I began to listen to what other people were telling me. I was, also, encouraged to consider the questions, "What can I learn from this situation?" and "What is God trying to tell me?". I was told to read Phillipians 4: 6-8, Romans 8:28-31, James 1:2-4, and anything in Proverbs or Psalms. I was told to not only read the scriptures, but to pray about them, so that they take root into my spirit, heart and life. I began to pray for peace, faith and an overwhelming joy. Although still doubtful, I began to experience peace, faith and joy. After my MRI, each one of my daily devotionals consisted of verses from either Proverbs or Psalms, which was far from coincidental. Each verse I read aloud to myself was like a slap in the face. Why should I be worried? Is God not mighty enough to make a 15 mm tumor diminish? Is God not powerful and gracious enough to provide the doctors with the tools and knowledge they need to remove this tumor? Is my God not the ULTIMATE physician? I was engulfed in negativity, when I needed to be engulfed in positivity! This Tuesday, I have an appointment to see a neurosurgeon. I wholeheartedly believe that the surgeon will know the best solution and in the near future my tumor will be completely gone.
This situation has encouraged me to live an even healthier lifestyle than I already did. I have decided to get healthy not just from head to toe, but on the inside, too. I am currently working on turning my worrisome and anxious ways into the ways of obtaining prayer, faith and joy in ALL situations. My eyes have been opened to the importance of how transforming your negative thoughts in to positive thoughts is not only healthy, but uplifting and encouraging. By pumping prayer and positivity into your life a healthier and happier lifestyle will be obtained.
" Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is purse, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." - Phillippians 4:8
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