"Faith and doubt are not opposites. They're dance partners."  One of my first experiences with prolonged illness led me to this sacred dance.

Even after all the years of illness, one of my biggest emotional challenges is living in acceptance. I wrote the following meditation/prayer and I use it to center myself at the beginning of a day or a week. It addresses all of my biggest emotional buttons on this topic, but feel free to copy it and edit it to include the truths and perspectives you need to accept where you are today.

After my second son was born, depression and anxiety struck like lightning. If you are suffering with anxiety or depression, you are not alone. 

The first four posts on the blog dealt with truths my heart needed to deal with chronic illness and depression. How can we allow these truths to transform our lives? Here are some ideas.

I don't know a mom who hasn't experienced guilt. As my guilt turned to shame, I finally realized something...

When we battle chronic illness and depression, we can start to feel like we are a burden to our loved ones - like we're asking for "too much" help. The truth is, it's OK to need help. The body of Christ was intended to be a community of support. We all go through times when we need help, and times when we can give it. You are not less valuable or less worthy because you need help.

As moms struggling with chronic illness and depression, we can begin to feel worthless. But here is the truth: we are precious and loved in Him. Our value is not linked to our productivity. We are valuable to our families primarily because of who we are and the love we have for them.

When fighting chronic illness and depression, this is an important truth: His mercies are new every morning. Our God will take care of you one day at a time.