You may look at the title of this article and think, "Wow, she must really want to play the victim card here." I would like to inform you that you are completely, 100% wrong.

At three years old I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At fourteen, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. At eighteen, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian disease and Hypogonadism, and at nineteen, I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer...All due to my autoimmune system's wonderful idea to attack itself.

So, why me? Why did God allow these things to happen to me when I consider myself to be a good person? That is the first problem...I am not a good person. Despite my desire to be Christ-like in every aspect of life, I fail. Daily. Hourly. Weekly. You get the point. In order to show me that I am not a "good person," He needed to humble me; He needed to show me that I was not meant to handle these things on my own, that I desperately needed a Savior. He needed to show me that nothing on this Earth is reliable, not even your own body. And showed me these things, He did: Your body will fail you, your friends will fail you, your family will fail you, and your own heart's desire will fail you.

Sometimes it takes God to say, "You're too trusting in ____; I am going to take it away so that all you have to lean on is Me." It's during those times we are most thankful for Him because what we held with such high regard before, is gone... and all that's left, is Christ.

So, now, where's the encouragement? This all seems to be so depressing and sad.

God, no doubt, uses trials for His glory. Trials teach us to depend on the Lord when everything and everyone fails us. They teach us perseverance; that you can get through anything with the unwavering love and hope He provides. Last but certainly not least, they show you how strong you can be when you are completely dependent on Him. How comforting is it to know that the Creator of the Universe lovingly accepts you with open arms into His kingdom? Pretty dang comforting if you ask me.

There have been plenty of times in my life where I questioned God and wanted to act like the victim, because what did I do to deserve this? It's in those moments I am made aware of my weaknesses, and thank God that He is constant and unwavering in all of His ways, unlike me.

James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him."

This verse is used to remind myself daily that being steadfast in Him, using my trials and tribulations for His good, will result in the greatest gift my soul has ever known: Heaven.

Here I say to you, fight the good fight. There is always hope found in Jesus, nothing in this world can overcome you with Him as your guide.