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Thoughts on Enduring Sickness (And Starting GAPS Intro)

I started the GAPS Intro Diet today. After all the prep work, I’m finally doing this thing.

gapsiphonecollage

Top Left: Tallow, Top Right: My GAPS Notebook. Bottom Left: Grass-Fed Beef. Bottom Right: Beef Broth.

I wanted to say a few words about why I am starting this GAPS journey, because I kind of feel like a crazy person. I mean, this is crazy, right? To restrict my diet in so many ways, not knowing if the outcome will even be positive. Going ahead without any guarantee that my stomach pains will go away. Sounds crazy.

I am really writing this post to my friends and family, so they might understand my motives a little better. (And not worry about me.. Mom. :)) I know when I first researched GAPS I thought it was so out-there that I would never be sick enough to have to do it.. and now here we are. So I understand where you’re at if you don’t see the appeal.

If you’ve been following my tummy troubles, you know that I have struggled for quite some time. When I last talked about it in detail, I hadn’t had any diagnostic testing or seen a specialist yet. Since then, I’ve worked with a nutritionist, seen a Gastroenterologist, had tons of blood work, an abdominal ultrasound, and an endoscopy with no conclusive results. My doctor and I didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye: he told me that “some people just have sensitive stomachs.” If you know me, you know that I don’t buy into that kind of medical conclusion. So I set out on my own to see what kind of healing could be done through diet.

My motive in going forward with GAPS is to heal and repair my stomach. I am not doing the GAPS Diet to lose weight. I am not doing the GAPS Diet as just a quick cleanse.  I am not going to starve myself while on the diet. I pray I will not cheat on the diet or sabotage myself when I start to feel a little better. GAPS is a temporary, healing diet and I hope it will be just that for me- short term and successful. I know it is not a guarantee that I will get better, but it is my prayer that God will heal me or reduce the daily pain in some way.

As I’ve been preparing, God is revealing to me that this trial might not really be about my health at all. I think what He is really trying to teach me is discipline, self-control and obedience- perhaps illness is just the way He has chosen to do that. He certainly doesn’t promise us perfect health in this life- in fact, He tells us that won’t happen until we get to Heaven. I have been comforted by this sermon by Charles Spurgeon on the topic of sickness and suffering. Particularly this quote:

“Affliction of some sort is one of the marks of the true-born child of God, and it frequently happens that the trial takes the form of illness. Shall we therefore wonder that we have to take our turn in the sick chamber? If Job, and David, and Hezekiah must each one smart, who are we that we should be amazed because we are in ill-health?”

I don’t know what the outcome will be, but I do know that while I have been ill, I have felt His nearness. And that has been a sweet, sweet gift to me. I pray that as I document this journey here, that it will be helpful to others who are struggling in the same way. Thank you for all of your kind words of encouragement as I head down this path. We will see what the Lord has in store!

Comments
7 Responses to “Thoughts on Enduring Sickness (And Starting GAPS Intro)”
  1. Sally Owens says:

    thank you for posting this. five years ago i was very sick with pertussis… when the epidemic was peaking. probably, they thought, i was so susceptible due to being at the 10 year mark of my vaccine. i, on the other hand, felt susceptibility was from my weak, leaky gut and stress. there have been years i was strong in diet regime, and YEARS i wasn’t. this |gaps| diet is before me for a reason. as i think back about my 10 months of slow healing through pertussis i too know the Lord was close… in the midst of the crisis weeks as i was sitting awake in the living room when everyone else was asleep… waiting for my next breathing treatment, He whispered from psalm 118:17,18 “you will not die but surely live and tell of the works of the lord. the Lord has disciplined me severely, but He has not given you over to death.” it was a long journey back and i am still somewhat affected physically. i continue to hope in the Lord and again thank you for posting. i look forward to knowing how you are healing. warmest regards ~ sally owens

  2. Traci says:

    I’ll be praying for you Natalie! Hope it helps.

  3. Boo says:

    Natilie, I really look up to you and will b e praying that this works. If you need anything just call and remember I Love you.
    Love Boo P.S. I love your music also.

  4. Elke says:

    Hang in there. I’m on the same journey, having started GAPS in April like you. I have SIBO/IBS. I’m sorry you didn’t see eye to eye with your doctor. That has been my case with two GI doctors. I’m working with a very sweet, caring Naturopath and trying out natural protocols. I wish you much encouragement on your journey! So happy to have found your beautiful blog. 🙂

  5. Casey says:

    Your site is such a blessing! Thanks for sharing!

  6. Amanda says:

    This really resonates with me. I found this post while researching the gaps diet as I am currently laying in bed with severe stomach pain from what I believe is a stomach ulcer. I’ve had the pain for years and I can’t keep living this way!! I’m 24. I’m going to browse you blog now – Thanks 🙂