Having diabetes can sometimes make me feel different.
Weird.
Excluded.
Lonely.
Isolated.
I talk about this feeling of isolation in my book “Devotions on Diabetes: A 30-Day Journey to Anchor Your Soul.” Here’s a snippet from day 6:
My husband and I had just walked into a restaurant for a rare mid-week date night, taking full advantage of the kids being with his parents for a couple days. As soon as we sat down, my CGM gave me a rise alert. Doo-dle-dee-doo-dle-dee-doo! My husband (and everyone else in the small restaurant) heard it loud and clear. He raised his eyebrows, smiled at me, and said, “It sounds like you won!”
While it may have sounded like I had just conquered the highest level in the latest video game, I wasn’t exactly winning when my number was on the rise just before ordering a meal. But that’s ok. I like his sense of humor and casual conversation about all the beeping I do. Everywhere I go. Regardless of who is around.
Devotions on Diabetes: A 30-Day Journey to Anchor Your Soul
Has anything like this ever happened to you?
INCONVENIENT ISOLATION
My CGM seems to always beep at inopportune times. While I’m trying to get a good night’s sleep. When I’m driving down the road and can’t check my pump or my phone. During a time of silent prayer at church. (Ask me how I know.)
Whether it’s the noise from a piece of diabetes tech, or trying to hide that you’re correcting a low by drinking a juice box like a little kid while you’re supposed to be on a video call for work (that’s pretty awkward, isn’t it?), diabetes can set us apart from everyone else. We do things no one else does. And that can feel pretty isolating over time.
I’m not nearly this cute when I’m drinking a juice box!
FEELINGS OF ISOLATION
People with diabetes can feel judged by others because of the medical equipment they carry or wear. Others might stare when we prick our fingers or take an insulin injection. People, like in the restaurant I mentioned above, might stop mid-meal and look all around to try to figure out where the noises are coming from.
When these kinds of things happen, we can start to think that no one else is like us. That no one understands us. That we don’t fit in.
COMBATTING ISOLATION
So what do we do when we are feeling alone and excluded? How can we respond when we feel isolated? We have several options, but here are a couple that I believe will truly make a positive impact.
1. REMEMBER THE TRUTH ABOUT DIABETES
Maybe not everyone around us understands or lives with the same chronic illness we do, but 10% of the world’s population has diabetes. That’s a huge number of people who are right with us in the same boat. So, friend, we may be the only person dealing with diabetes in that small restaurant, but we are definitely not alone in the bigger picture. Broadening our lens like this can help us remember the truth.
Others who can relate to what we’re going through can also help remind us of the truth. I wrote about that in a post about the Two Diabetes Friends You Need in your Life. Who in your life can you reach out to when you’re feeling isolated and need encouragement? If you’re looking for a community of people who “get it,” there are diabetes groups practically everywhere. (Have you heard of Diabetes Sisters? They’re nation wide in the US.) Surround yourself with community to encourage each other and remind each other of the truth.
2. REMEMBER THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD
One of the best ways we can feel encouraged, valued, and included is to remember God’s promises. Here are just a few of them that have helped me over time:
- God is with us through it all. (Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:8, Psalm 23:4)
- God loves us. (Isaiah 54:10, John 3:16, Psalm 86:5)
- God guides and helps us. (Psalm 32:8, Isaiah 41:13, Proverbs 3:5-6)
- God sustains us. (Isaiah 40:29 & 31)
- God fights our battles. (Exodus 14:14)
Like I mentioned above, others can help remind us of the truth – and that goes for God’s word too. Are you involved in a church community? Are you a part of a life group or small group? Again, surround yourself with community to encourage each other and remind each other of the truth.
A FREE BIBLE READING PLAN
Bible time has been huge (huge!) for me in focusing my mind and being intentional about my thoughts and perspectives. So that’s why I created a Bible reading plan just for this very thing. It’s a completely free resource for you (or anyone else who would like to download it). Just click below and it’s yours. There’s a bookmark you can print that shows the reading plan, and also one in large print in case that’s helpful as well.
So for the next 14 days, let’s dig into God’s word so that we can find Him in our isolation. We will spend a few days in the Psalms reading amazing examples of how we can be honest and vulnerable with God about our thoughts and circumstances, just like King David was. We will read about the goodness of God, and even the words of Jesus Himself.
Reading these verses over the next two weeks can refresh your mind and soul, and remind you of the truths and promises of God. Don’t fall victim to feeling isolated and staying there. Call it what it is, and let’s find God in the middle of the struggle so He can help us move forward.
A PRAYER AS YOU BEGIN
Answer me when I call to you,
Psalm 4:1
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
GET YOUR FREE BIBLE READING
PLAN TO FIND GOD IN ISOLATION
PIN FOR LATER
MORE BIBLE READING PLANS
OTHER RELATED BLOG POSTS
