Sensory Overload!

When I was first diagnosed with MS I did a lot of reading.   I read several articles, forums and blog posts that advised that I not be defined by my illness.  I HAVE MS but I am NOT MS.  And there's wisdom and truth in that but if I am being honest (and I try to be),  MS may not define me but it is always going to be a part of my identity.   My son once told me when we were discussing a future cure for MS that "If you didn't have MS, you wouldn't be you."  And he is right.  I would be a different version of myself.  I have limitations that I must acknowledge but I have a unique perspective on life that can be a strength if properly applied.  People who interact with me need to know that I have MS and what that means so that they have an idea of what to expect from me and how to effectively pray for me.  MS is a part of who I am, like it or not, and I must accept all the challenges that brings into my life.

So, this brings me to the point of this post.  MS causes me to be overwhelmed much more easily than I was before.   In my last post I mentioned multiple serious prayer requests that piled up in a matter of a couple of days but what I didn't know at the time was that there would be many more to come.

The most recent one came yesterday.  A girl in her 20's that attended our church off and on over this past year had been mercilessly tortured by our enemy (Satan) for years -  anyone at the chapel who knew her understood she was struggling with real demons. But Jesus pursued her and captured her heart. She was saved - I was there when it happened. But the enemy was extremely unhappy about it and last night I got word that she passed away a few days ago- her sister found her body in her apartment on Monday. I didn't know her well but I am deeply troubled.  No one else in her family is saved and now she is no longer here to be a witness to them.  But she is at peace in the arms of Jesus so I at least have comfort in that knowledge. 

I had a headache that kept me awake all night.  It is not ideal for anyone to lose a night's sleep but when you have MS, you REALLY NEED all the sleep you can get.  I ran through my list of prayer requests (which now included the unsaved family and friends of this girl from our church who passed away unexpectedly) multiple times last night.  I prayed all night.  Sometimes the Lord allows our hearts to be troubled.   Sometimes people need prayer in the middle of the night and God keeps us awake to pray for them.  I prayed and prayed and prayed.   I don't know who on my prayer list was struggling last night but they were covered by prayer.

And this morning I got a timely text from someone who was thinking about and praying for ME!!!  The Lord is so good!  He knew I would need the strength only He could provide to get me through this day after a restless night.  He knew I would be overwhelmed by all the needs of the people around me and He provided help for me so I could continue to stand in intercessory prayer when I am emotionally and physically exhausted.   

I kind of feel like Moses in Exodus 17 with someone on each side of me holding up my arms while the Lord fights the battles I bring to His feet.  

Praise God for His unspeakable gifts!!!