When I was diagnosed with MS, I was training for my first marathon. I had a friend Liz who had set me up with a solid training schedule, broken down for the next five months. She even had my nutrition list set up for me. When I questioned my ability to complete the task, I would stop by their house for a dose of affirmation from her husband, a 3-time Ironman at the time. He has probably circled the globe by now!
I was that crazy girl who wasn’t very good at any sports but I loved trying them all. I would go to our elementary school and bounce tennis balls against the wall until I had every type of stroke down. I ran in track and came in at a solid 4th place on several occasions. My strengths were in other areas but I LOVE sports. I still do. Eventually I found sports that I excelled so my energy went to more useful gain.
So how did I keep from losing my desired identity as an athlete when I suddenly found I could not lift a leg off the ground or pick up a 2-lb weight? It isn’t easy. I still struggle with it. I had to train my mind the same way I had trained my body. I rehearse Bible verses over and over. More than that, it has to be true to me. I could say it all day long but it’s irrelevant if I don’t believe God’s Word and apply it.
Don Miller wrote a blog this week that addresses the question, ‘Do you only matter because of what you do?‘. He brings out some good points on what we base our self-identity in and the harm that leads to.
What about you? Where do you get your worth from and how do you protect it from?
Tagged: Attitude, Blog, Donald Miller, Faith, Health, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Multiple Sclerosis
OverwhelmedByJoy 
As a Christian I know my worth in God’s eyes… as a human I guess I would have to say I get my worth from those close to me… specifically my family….Diane
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That is great to discern the difference between the two! How is your recovery going?
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It’s going well… It happened that the surgeon intended on doing one procedure but had to change once he began because it became evident that I had a large paraesophageal hernia that he needed to repair… Quite the surprise for him as the test I had before surgery made no mention of it… I’ll be on a diet of pureed food for awhile but at least the healing has begun… thanks for asking… Diane
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Good stuff here.
I absolutely love to run. Loooove. It’s my happy place.
Needless to say, when MS hit, my running routine was disrupted.
It can be a battle, but we do have a choice— to choose joy! Right?!? ☺️
I do what I can, still run when I’m able to and I give thanks everytime that I do!
But, I’m not what I do… I’m not what I feel… I’m what I believe. My identity is found in Him. That’s what I believe. ❤️
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Exactly! Keep fighting the good fight!!
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