The Journey To Healing

One week down...too many to go.

AIP is the latest acronym to go with my IBS and SIBO. 

What is AIP?  It stands for Auto Immune Protocol.  It is an elimination diet to aid in the healing of a leaky gut and various autoimmune diseases.  Oh yeah, and I am leaving out the FODMAP's as well.

For me, this is like Custer's Last Stand.  This is it...it's either me or the gut gremlins. 

Do I sound as crazy as I feel?  It may be the lack of sugar to my brain.

So here I am, one week into a very restricted diet.  I am discovering some new vegetables I didn't know existed.  Some are rather good and some I still don't like.  Yuck!  I am down a pound!  Whoohoo!  I get tons of meat and all the water I can drink, but I am not going to sugar coat it (pun intended)...

I cried today.

The eating part is going better than expected, especially since Michael is participating with me (what a guy!).  I have a few cravings, but over all not bad.  However, I have not showed any miraculous recovery like I had hoped.  I am still the same.  I know, I know...it's only been a week and I didn't get this way overnight, but I was really hoping for a miracle turn around.  I need to know this is going to be worth it!

And so I cried in fear that this too would fail. 

By the grace of God, I undertook this for Lent as well as my health.  Otherwise, I may have quit today.  But, God is giving me the strength I need, because this battle is about more than just flesh and blood and nasty gut microbes. 

^{Ephesians 6:10} Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. ¹¹ Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. ¹² We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. ¹³ So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.

¹⁴ Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. ¹⁵ Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. ¹⁶ Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit.

¹⁸ Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people. ¹⁹ Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. ²⁰ I was sent to do this work, and that’s the reason I am enduring this trouble. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should.
CEV italics are my addition.