How My Faith Impacts How I Approach My Life

Robin Dixby Robin Dix

In Columns, Through the Fog - A Column by Robin Dix.

How My Faith Impacts How I Approach My Life

Through the Fog
I know this column may not apply to some, but I would be remiss if I didn’t write about how my faith impacts my fibromyalgia. Faith actually impacts every area of my life and has done so for more than 45 years. If this subject bothers you, feel free to skip this column.

I’ve been ill with various things, including undiagnosed fibromyalgia for more than 20 years. I grew up in an abusive home where I was never shown or told I was loved. When I was 16, I became a believer in Jesus through a Billy Graham crusade. It astonished me to hear that I was loved.

No matter what I’ve gone through, my faith has been my rock. FM, like all illnesses, is a difficult disease to live with. It’s so daily and so unpredictable. Because of that, I’m thankful to have some comfort and predictability with my faith.

Whatever my day brings, I know that God has a plan and a purpose for my life. I surrender my suffering, my expectations, my limitations, my desires and my dreams to the one who created the universe, yet cares deeply for me. There is a joy, peace and contentment I would not otherwise experience.

There are those who say that I lack faith because I am not yet healed. To those people, I say that I trust God’s plan and timing. Faith has given me a compassion to care for and reach out to others who also suffer from fibromyalgia. It’s my joy and privilege to do so.

Faith for you may mean something completely different, and that’s OK. I’m certainly not here to judge or decide what others should believe. My heart reaches out to all who suffer. I still get frustrated, sad and angry about being sick and losing the ability to do the things I used to enjoy. But overall my life is defined by one of trust.

When I’m really struggling, I find that some great worship music goes a long way in bringing me peace and drawing me closer to the heart of God.

I’m hopeful that you see this is my heart, belief and journey. It’s how I’m able to accept my fibromyalgia. I believe in healing, but I’m also OK if that doesn’t happen in this life. If you completely disagree, that’s totally OK. This is just another way for me to share a bit about who I am and how I deal with my fibromyalgia within the context of my faith.

Please share your thoughts.

***

Note: Fibromyalgia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Fibromyalgia News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to fibromyalgia.

Print This Page

32 comments

  1. Leigh says:

    Raised in an abusive home and you have FM. God especially loves you.

    Billy Graham’s tapes of conversations with Richard Nixon where
    Nixon railed against Jews and Graham responded that Jews befriended him but “they don’t know how I really feel about what they are doing to this country.” The rest of the conversation was decidedly anti-Semitic. To say nothing of Graham’s stance on LGBTQ.

    Spread the acceptance and love!

  2. Pam Walker says:

    Amen sister! Thank you for sharing, He is good and fully trustworthy and faithful even when we are less so. Hang in there and I will meet you in glory.

  3. Julie says:

    The One True God is the air I breathe. Just because we can agree to disagree on this has nothing to do with not loving others. We can love people all the time but adamantly disagree with their beliefs. I am with you, Robin. I would not be where I am without knowing Jesus as my Lord and Savior and trusting God in every aspect of living. Thanks for sharing your testimony! All are welcome but few will choose for themselves. I know I sat on the fence until my mid-twenties. So glad I decided which way to go, too.

      • Michal says:

        Hi Robin,Aussie Mike here,thanks for sharing your love for our maker,it is what bind’s us all together.I have found myself on the odd occassion in tears,hand on bible,praying for comfort from our Lord,it help’s to know that the Lord know’s our pain.After i have cried & prayed for help/healing & comfort,i then fall asleep,giving up all of my problems to God,knowing i cannot do anything to help myself & prying *with faith* that my problem’s will be fixed.I agree with you that there is a plan in place,we just have to hang in there to see the final result.To all sufferer’s out there,if you get to the point that you cant handle the pain & problem’s of this life*(GIVE GOD A GO)*it truly work’s,sincerely Michal.

  5. Yvette says:

    Thank you for your transparency in sharing your faith, Robyn. I also am a believer and don’t know how I would cope and navigate the FM journey without the Lord’s grace and strength. It’s an encouragement to me to hear how you are strengthened by your faith as well. I’m sure you are an encouragement even to those whose beliefs may be different. We are all bonded by the unique experiences of living with a invisible chronic disease. Thank you for helping us to connect with one another and keeping us informed of the latest info. Blessings!

  6. Grace from Australia says:

    I am completely with you. I came back to God when I was 18. Have been a committed believer ever since then. Looking back I can also see that I already had FM then. Holding on to Him through it all makes all the difference. And knowing that this is just a tent I live in; the Master Builder is right now preparing my new abode and has my new body also ready. The best is yet to come. This poem spoke to me in the week after I found my Father again: Rebirth

    You came
    as I lay dying

    You came,
    Lifting me gently away
    As I watched myself lying there,
    Dying there.

    You came
    Not in any recognisable form
    I knew it was you
    I knew without doubt
    It was my Lord
    My loving Lord
    (I had not really known you before,
    I had not even known to ask for help.)

    You came.
    Such love as I had never known
    Enfolded me.
    I had no fear. Shemag Gemel

  7. Maria says:

    Thank you for your boldness in sharing Christ’s love and your belief in Him. So uplifting. I have fibro and also was raised in an abusive home and the Lord came into my heart very young. I pray that others will find the one who can heal our hearts and our lives. Like you, I am not healed but through this illness, He has taken me on an incredible journey of seeing Him in all things. How He uses us in the what seems to be the worse of times. He makes all things New!
    Bless you my sister,
    In Christ’s love,

  8. Joyce Rayner says:

    Hello Robin,I appreciate your article.I too @ times become angry and plain tired from dealing with my chronic illnesses.
    Without faith in my Lord Jesus Christ, I believe my life would be more difficult.Many nights I have fallen asleep with healing scriptures and soft praise music to change my negative thinking to positive.
    I admire your courage and your disclaimer apprising those who choose not to read it don’t.No one was blindsided by your article.
    Thank you.

  10. Stephanie M Chapanar says:

    When I was diagnosed I got a Turquoise Cross tattoo on my wrist for 3 reasons. First to know that Jesus is my savior. Second to know on my bad days he suffered WAY more than I do so hang in there. Third on the Flare-Up Days,I’m on the couch, I’m not moving days that Jesus is comforting me. I also plug in the ear buds and crank up Tenth Avenue North, Crowder and Casting Crowns! Never let this disease steal your joy!

  11. Heather says:

    Very cool article. I don’t know that I believe in the exact same things the way you might, i also feel close to it. like it is like what I do but just in a slightly different way. It was interesting to see your take on it.

    thank you for sharing this with us. and for all you do. asking the angels to look over you.

      • Catherine says:

        This testimony is beautiful and very well said. I also am Christian and very happy to say without my Heavenly Father..Jesus I don’t know where I would be today. I thank my Lord and Savior for His love.. Mercy.. And grace. Most importantly my salvation. His ways are higher than my ways.. He is with me though every trial and tribulation. Its a blessing to know there are so many people that believe in Him, thank you for sharing.

  12. Bonnie Klein says:

    Thank you for sharing. I felt like you were writing my story! Faith for me is a major part of dealing with the FM and all the other brokenness in this world. One day we will have new perfect bodies and surround the throne with our praises to the King of kings. I look forward to meeting you!

  13. Mary Emilio says:

    How wonderful it is not only to have someone to relate to with this
    Awful disorder but also God. I still watch old clips of Billy Graham.
    If not for Our Lord how do people deal. This thing is so very awful
    that we did the Lord for hope.
    Hope for pain relief, hope to be healed, hope that one day our bodies will change and sickness will be no more.
    I thank all of you for speaking out , which by the way is not done enough these days, and to know I am not alone.
    I love you all and pray for you.

  14. viviane says:

    Thanks for sharing about your Faith help you with your Fibro, I have told my Pastor so many times, but She think God does not give you pain, so having pain is not good and we must pray for healing, well, yes. I do pray but mostly I pray for having the strenght to pass each day, each moment the best I can with my God,s love, I believe he gave me Fibromyalgia for a reason, a reason I do not know, but His reason, and this is good enough for me……love you my friend, God IS with Us all the way.

  15. Janice says:

    Well, God has blessed me today with your website! I just left a comment on your other article about ‘prayer’. As a Catholic, I offer up my day of suffering [and joy], but others here also do the same. Sounds like we are all hearing the same voice. Amazing how He speaks to us. I remember sitting outside one night, in so much pain I could not take it anymore and I cried out to God to ‘come back to me’ – and He did. Shortly after this, and due to lying down most of the day, I came across the Catholic EWTN television channel – and it brought me back to my faith and Church after 40 years. He has His ways, doesn’t He? Bless us Lord and give us strength and thank you for your blessings.

  16. Carol edwards says:

    I cried as I read your column 😥 I could have written the things you said. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I too believe God has a plan for me and loves me.😇 He gave me many talents in art and fixing things so even though I am limited by my disease I can still function and be happy.
    Thanks again you are one of Gods angels caring for his children😇

Leave a Comment