Suffering Well

In 2020 my body was in physical pain like I’d never felt before. I had already gone through some health challenges and thought they were resolved, but now this. Over the next months there were many tests and procedures to get to the root of the problem, but nothing gave us answers.

Then, in 2022 the eating problems began, and things became even worse. I was in and out of the emergency room because my gut wasn’t functioning. I couldn’t keep food down and although a PICC line helped get nutrients and fluids in me, it had to be removed because of the risk of infection. When I tried to go back to work, I passed out because of the lack of nutrients and hydration, so I lost my job.

We were at a complete loss but that’s when God stepped in. He placed church family, friends, family and His Word in my life when I needed them most. God has been so much more to me!

After a while we began the process of getting into the Cleveland Clinic, knowing it was going to take a long time, but God opened an appointment months before there should’ve been one. Then, when we got there, we found an insurance issue that we had no idea about. I texted my church family and asked them to pray. The ladies doing the food ministry at our church stopped and prayed right then and within an hour the obstacles cleared, and I was able to make the first of many appointments.

There were so many appointments, tests, and surgeries, but the scarring disease I have complicated everything. During that time, I was unable to eat and in a lot of pain. I was consumed with anxiety, frustration, discouragement, and disappointment because the doctors couldn’t help me. They said the endometriosis and dysfunctional dyspepsia are chronic things.

But prayer helped when nothing else could. When the doctor said he wouldn’t do surgery on the endometriosis because of the scarring problems, we prayed, and I surrendered. We asked God to open his eyes and give him wisdom and direction to know what to do. God changed the doctor’s heart and he agreed to do the surgery, opting for a robotic surgery so there would be less scarring and faster healing. Since then, there have been problems but nothing that can’t be tolerated.

During the last four surgeries I haven’t been afraid because I’ve known that God is there. He’s put people there to pray for me and He’s given them the words to comfort and assure me.

I’m at a standstill with the dysfunctional dyspepsia. But God brought me a new primary doctor—right to my church, who has similar problems and he’s helped me with my diet. This isn’t going away, and medicines don’t work, but I’m able to maintain with diet, vigilance, ER visits and hospital stays.

There hasn’t been a cure or a fix for me, but running to God with all of this has brought me peace and joy that I never had before.

I want you to know that even when you can’t see Him, God is always there for you. He promises everlasting peace to us. It’s such a sweet peace. Even in the times when I hurt and I can’t eat or drink, Jesus calms me and gives me His Living Water.

Regardless of what we go through in life, God is there to be our helper. My Jesus is our guide, and He is there to advocate for us when we seek Him. Psalm 27:8-9 (CSB) says,

My heart says this about you:
“Seek his face.” Lord, I will seek your face.

…You have been my helper;
do not leave me or abandon me,

God of my salvation.

Jesus is my helper. He hasn’t left me or abandoned me. He wants us to run to Him and not do things on our own.

Let God have control even though it’s hard sometimes. We all want to take control sometimes, but we have to let Him lead. When we do, watch out because He steps in!

My Jesus is there to protect us when we cling to Him, when we are in a crisis or just overwhelmed or anxious or fearful because of the storms of life.

God hears our prayers when we pray to Him boldly. God has stepped in many times, answering prayer, like He did when He got me into the Cleveland Clinic and then helping with those insurance issues.

Reading the Bible and meditating on a verse has helped fight off the discouragement, along with choosing to worship God. I’m choosing to focus on gratitude for all God has done so far through all of this. Jesus is my victory! He is faithful and my heart is confident in Him with the hope He has given me. I want to give Him the praise and sing praises to God in the storms I face. This is a song He has given me…

More!

Lord, you are

My strength and my shield.

Lord, you are

My shelter from the storm.

Through it all

My help comes from You.

Through it all, You are my refuge.

Lord, You are

My everlasting peace.

Lord, You are

The King of Kings.

And through it all

My help comes from You.

Through it all, You are my refuge.

Oh, Lord, I need You.

Oh, how I need You.

Lord, I need You more.

Oh, Lord, I need You–

Oh, how I need You.

Lord, I need You more!

By Your grace alone–I am free.

Jesus, You are my victory.

By Your grace alone–I am free.

Jesus, You are my victory.

Hi! I'm Brittany Wix. I live in Harrisburg, IL, with my husband and my son. I attend Eldorado First Baptist Church and I love to serve and work at my church where I'm one of the children's church directors. I'm also on the praise team and I love to write and sing music.