“I do not accept that diagnosis.” Her words rang in my ears across the Messenger phone call. We were talking about her medical appointment, and this was her response to one medical diagnosis that she disagreed with. “I will not let it define me,” she said.
I realize that declaring your medical diagnosis as “fake news” is a form of hiding your head in the sand and won’t change anything if you indeed have diabetes or heart disease or HIV, but I also loved the bravery behind her words.
The amount of negativity and stereotyping we face today is overwhelming. From all sides we are labeled and diagnosed and constantly told that we are “less than.” Instagram highlights our lack of artistic ability; Facebook makes it appear that everyone else is having more fun; LinkedIn gives us a peak into how others are better connected. Our own community may discriminate against us on the basis of race, sex, age, gender, orientation. We see terrors on every side. Right now many of us are grieving the loss of a career, an income, a future.
“I do not accept that diagnosis.” I will stand up and declare who I am. I am worthy. I am loved by God. I have value. I have purpose. I will realize that I am part of the sharing kingdom of God, and I will live every day accepting that mission. I will not accept the diagnosis that I have to live in fear and darkness, that I have to live selfishly to protect myself, and that I have to put others down in order to value myself. I am defined by the God of Heaven.
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15 NLT).
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (I John 3:1 NIV).
I realize that declaring your medical diagnosis as “fake news” is a form of hiding your head in the sand and won’t change anything if you indeed have diabetes or heart disease or HIV, but I also loved the bravery behind her words.
The amount of negativity and stereotyping we face today is overwhelming. From all sides we are labeled and diagnosed and constantly told that we are “less than.” Instagram highlights our lack of artistic ability; Facebook makes it appear that everyone else is having more fun; LinkedIn gives us a peak into how others are better connected. Our own community may discriminate against us on the basis of race, sex, age, gender, orientation. We see terrors on every side. Right now many of us are grieving the loss of a career, an income, a future.
“I do not accept that diagnosis.” I will stand up and declare who I am. I am worthy. I am loved by God. I have value. I have purpose. I will realize that I am part of the sharing kingdom of God, and I will live every day accepting that mission. I will not accept the diagnosis that I have to live in fear and darkness, that I have to live selfishly to protect myself, and that I have to put others down in order to value myself. I am defined by the God of Heaven.
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15 NLT).
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (I John 3:1 NIV).