How would you say diabetes affects relationships in your life?
I asked my husband for his perspective on that question. He first thought of my CGM beeping overnight, in case my blood sugar goes too high or low. And he is concerned when he gets an alert on his phone that my number is low when he’s away and not there to help.
Then he reminded me of the year we were trying to get pregnant. I was being particularly careful (with literally everything!), and I would only eat at a restaurant if I knew the carb counts. And we had a ton of doctor appointments once we found out we were having a baby — which was honestly kind of fun, but it was still a lot.
Then he laughed and said, “I have to jab my wife with a needle more often than I’d like to.” (He’s my trusty Dexcom changer, and I love his sense of humor about it!)
This was on Valentine’s Day, people. Nothing says love more than a needle in the arm.
HOW DIABETES AFFECTS RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS
I have a close relationship both with my parents, so I asked them how they thought diabetes affects relationships.
My dad said, “You manage it well, so it doesn’t affect our relationship too much. But I’m always aware of it. I feel awful you have it, and I somehow feel like it’s my fault because I’m your dad and I should have kept you from getting it.” (I share my dad’s perspective on my diagnosis in day 10 of Devotions on Diabetes: A 30-Day Journey to Anchor Your Soul. It’s one of my favorites in the book.)
My mom had a different perspective: “I believe it made us closer. We had to work through figuring it out together and learn how to find a new normal. And when children need extra TLC, no one messes with mama bear!” (I have a feeling there are other “mama bears” reading this now that are nodding their heads in agreement. You gotta advocate for your T1D kiddos, right? Hang in there mama — you’re doing great! Take a quick sec and read my mom’s perspective on my diagnosis on the blog. It will encourage you!)
HOW DIABETES AFFECTS RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN
Our five-year-old son is such a sweetheart. At his age, he doesn’t know all that much about diabetes or what I do to manage it. He doesn’t need to. But I asked him anyway, “What do you think about mama having diabetes?” He thought for a second and said, “I think it makes people sick, and you too.” I just smiled and said, “You’re right, buddy.”
Our bright and inquisitive fifth-grade daughter has a better understanding of it all. She watches my numbers if I have my CGM app open, and she understands I need sugar if I’m low (and she asks if she can have some too). And she loved reading my Devotions on Diabetes book.
When I asked her how she thought diabetes affected our relationship, she said, “Sometimes it’s really nerve wracking because I don’t know what’s going to happen with your numbers and stuff. And I get scared when it’s low.” Sweet girl.
And it’s not just our immediate family. It can affect our friends, our co-workers, and our extended family. Even the school nurse for kids with diabetes.
Think about the relationships in your life and how diabetes affects them. Or even ask someone about it — it just might lead to a really good conversation, you never know.
ANOTHER RELATIONSHIP AFFECTED BY DIABETES
An important relationship to consider is how diabetes affects your relationship with God. Does diabetes make you angry, or do you want to question God about it?
Struggling and suffering aren’t uncommon to people with diabetes, or any chronic illness for that matter. I’ve written about this sort of thing before:
- How to Look at Life with Diabetes Differently
- When Diabetes Makes No Sense
- Diabetes, Suffering, and Six Helpful Reminders
Or does your faith bring you closer to the Lord as you realize your dependence on Him?
I have known it to go either way.
Regardless of where you are in your relationship with God, He wants a relationship with you.
Remember, we may not understand why God allows a chronic illness like diabetes. We can’t always know the reasons behind everything (Isaiah 55:9). But we know He can use it somehow for good (Romans 8:28). This blog and my book are a perfect example of this. (You can read that back story HERE.)
We know God wants a relationship with us because He tells us that through His word. Here are just three quick examples:
- We are children of God. (1 John 3:2)
- God predestined us for adoption through Jesus. (Ephesians 1:5)
- He showed us His love by sending His son. (John 3:16)
HOW DO WE RESPOND?
So if we know God wants a relationship with us, how can we respond to that? Here are three suggestions:
1. Follow Peter’s Advice
The Apostle Peter was key in the start of the church after Jesus’ death and resurrection. And he shared some solid advice in Acts 2 when he was asked, “What shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38
This was his direction based on scripture. Is this a step you’ve taken? If not, follow Peter’s recommendation and respond to God.
2. Be a Loyal Friend
Our relationship with God is marked by our loyalty to Him, and our loyalty is shown through obedience. Jesus told His disciples, “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). And God’s commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3) because we love Him and He loves us. Are you following His commands?
3. Enjoy being a child of God
God loves His children. There are countless examples of this in scripture. We see it over and over through His provision, protection, encouragement, comfort, and so much more in both the Old and New Testaments.
Remember, only when we are connected to God can we live out His will for our lives. John chapter 15 shows us this.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
I wrote about the vine-and-branches relationship we have with God in an earlier blog post under the heading “our own calibration”:
But the greatest reward of being a child of God is simply being a child of God. He is the source of every good thing. And He Himself is the greatest good.
God, I thank you for the people You have put in my life. For the friends and family You have surrounded me with. I pray diabetes would be something that would provide me opportunities to enrich the relationships I have. And I pray it would draw me nearer and nearer to You, the source of all good things. Lord, help me to be connected with You each and every day so I can live out the will You have for my life. Amen.
FOR FURTHER READING: Acts 2:14-47
BIBLE READING PLANS
You can connect to God further through prayer and Bible reading. Here are some plans to help you get started:
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