Sallie Dawkins

It feels like I’ve been in the Refiner’s Fire for most of this year.

Isaiah 48:10 (WEB) says, “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.”

For months, I felt weary and fragile. It wasn’t just one thing gone wrong with my health; it was a gross number of seemingly random issues. When I reached out for help, the results were mixed. Traditional medicine has its place, but it’s so specialized now that sometimes doctors fail to see the big picture view, and a person can get lost running from appointment to appointment. Functional medicine looks at the big picture view, but generally, they’ll treat just one issue at a time. No hurries.
 

When answers came slowly, I fell into worry. Are you surprised I’d admit that? I think it’s a usual temptation to worry when we don’t understand what’s happening.
 

Thankfully, God surrounded me with Christians who believe in the power of prayer and miracles and people with godly wisdom, including retired nurses and naturopaths. The Lord connected me with people who have walked through the fire of adversity (difficult situations, distress, and hardships) and came out praising God for victory. Their testimonies encouraged me to keep fighting.
 

Perhaps ignorantly and pridefully, I once believed if people were experiencing pain or affliction in their bodies, healing would come if they repented, came out of agreement with the badness attacking them, and cast the offending spirit away, in Jesus’ Name.
 

1 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV) tells us the Spirit of God gives “gifts of healing.” “Gifts” are multiple. There are many ways to be healed (including prayer, casting out demons, and creative miracles). But we’re also meant to take care of our bodies. HOW we eat and WHAT we eat matters. Exercise matters. What we watch, read, listen to, and speak matters.
 

This year, I’ve been diagnosed with a ridiculous number of issues, but it all seems to boil down to a leaky gut. I had no idea just how vital gut health is.
 

I read an article today that says leaky gut is responsible for: “Aging, Ankylosis spondylitis, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Autism, Autoimmune disorders, Cancer, Celiac disease, Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, Colitis – inflammatory bowel diseases, Environmental enteric dysfunction, Gestational diabetes, Glioma, Insulin resistance, Irritable bowel syndrome, Hyperlipidemia, HIV, Major depressive disorders, Metabolic disorders, Multiple sclerosis, Necrotizing enterocolitis, Neuroinflammatory disease, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Non-celiac gluten sensitivity, Obesity, Schizophrenia, Sepsis, Type 1 diabetes, and Type 2 diabetes.” (Source: https://f1000research.com/articles/9-69)
 

That list shocks me because, most often, when a person is diagnosed with those ailments, no one starts treatment with a referral to a dietitian to start a Low FODMAP diet. They also don’t think of sending someone to an allergist to see what they might be allergic to or have intolerances or histamine reactions. Instead, some doctors offer very zealous long-term treatments involving prescriptions or surgeries. Wouldn’t it be better to treat the source of the dysbiosis first? Leaky gut issues cause SIBO, which results in body-wide inflammation. Inflammation causes thyroid problems but also interferes with adrenal function and cognition. This hidden source of infection also causes malabsorption, which throws off the hormones.  It’s a beautiful picture of how every part of the body is connected to every other part!
 

Early in this journey, my sister told me I’d have to learn to be my best health advocate. Wow, was she right!  
 

This year, my thinking and priorities have shifted. I used to ignore random aches or pains. After all, I have work to do, and if I don’t get it done, it won’t get done! Are you like that, too? If you’re also going through a tough season, I want to encourage you. Don't give up. Get the rest you need.
 

I’m learning to talk with God about my views. I’m learning to be a better custodian of my body. I’m investing in myself and my health. I’m learning what my body is trying to communicate. I’m growing in self-compassion. After all, taking care of ourselves is not selfish; it’s essential.
 

With God, everything in life happens for a reason. It all serves to draw us nearer to Him. The Refiner’s Fire is His all-consuming Love. It’s not a punishment; it’s an invitation to come into Holiness. It’s an opportunity to take inventory and release all that holds us back from encountering our Creator. The Lord Himself says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NASB)
 

The LORD strengthens His people (Psalm 29:11), including strength to endure tough times. Our adversities don’t change God’s goodness. Instead, we’re learning to see as He sees to retain a heart of gratitude and praise through it all.
 

Is infirmity, inflammation, infection, or general dis-ease plaguing your life? How might your life be different if you chose to take those issues to God? Have you asked Him for healing or declared His healing virtue made manifest in your life? Have you invited Him to reveal any roadblocks to healing? Are you wholly focused on (and speaking out) all the negatives rather than concentrating on all that’s true, lovely, pure, praiseworthy, and of good report (Philippians 4:8)? God has promised He will never leave us, nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6), so lean into Him during times of uncertainty and trust He will bring you through these trials even more vital than you were before.