Patti Burris

Philippians 4:13

I can do EVERYTHING through him who gives me strength.

I have been a diagnosed type 2 diabetic for 3 years now. If you are not a diabetic, let me tell you that diabetes is a chronic illness that consumes your life. It is a constant struggle with maintaining glucose (blood-sugar) levels, constantly having to analyze when and what you eat, staying away from sugar/carbs in a sugar/carb obsessed world, losing weight, and facing the fact that I will have to live with this for the rest of my life. I did well and lost 45 lbs. my first year. I still do okay, but I often feel completely overwhelmed and when I look at the fact that I am only 43 and am living with what could be considered a life and death disease (depending on how it is maintained) I feel completely unable to maintain this disease alone. I am scared that I will die before my kids are all grown. I feel guilty when I eat a candy bar, ice cream or other sugar. I feel completely unable to discipline myself  to exercise and eat right. I feel totally helpless right now.

This is something I will always struggle with. I know that I can not deal with this illness on my own. I am not strong enough or disciplined enough on my own. I have to believe that through Christ, who died for me, I have the strength the conquer this thing. I have to be willing to surrender this illness to God, who is in control of ALL things. I am weak, but He is strong!

If you are overwhelmed in any area of your life, surrender the situation to God. God is so good and merciful to meet us where we are. God loves you and wants to walk this journey with you. He never expects us to struggle alone. Cry out to Him, tell him your struggles. He already knows, He just wants to hear it from us. I will be walking this path with you. Remember, my friend, you are never alone!

Dearest Jesus,

I am coming to you now, to surrender this struggle with diabetes. I am admitting, what you already know, that I am to weak to carry this load alone. I need you! I need you to help me do what I need to do to live a healthy long life. On my own, I am weak, but with you beside me, I am strong. I thank you and praise you for loving me enough to carry the load of diabetes with me. I trust you completely and I never want to live without you!

Amen