I was recently asked the question by one of my readers: “How do you face the fears that come with having Myasthenia Gravis?”
Living with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) can feel like a daily battle against uncertainty. The physical challenges like muscle weakness, fatigue, and unpredictable symptoms often bring fear and doubt. Will I be able to get through today? What if my symptoms flare up? What will happen tomorrow? These questions can weigh heavily, but through faith in God, it’s possible to find the strength needed to face those fears head on.
Fear is a natural response to a chronic condition like MG. The “snowflake” symptoms can make even simple tasks feel rather daunting. It’s okay to feel afraid. Acknowledging fear is the first step toward overcoming it. But you can’t remain there. Instead of letting it paralyze you, bring your worries to God, leave them at His altar. We’re reminded in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving and praise, present your requests to God.” Sharing your fears with God opens the door to His comfort and peace.
With MG, every day is different. Some days, you may feel strong; others, even getting out of bed feels impossible. Celebrate the small victories, whether it’s completing a task, managing symptoms, or simply resting without feeling guilty about doing so. Those moments are proof of how resilient you really are.
The key is to not allow fear to cripple you or prevent you from enjoying life. I find myself falling victim to this every once in a while. Just the other day, I made the decision to opt out of taking a trip to see my grandkids because I would just be returning from another trip and I was afraid I would be too tired. I suddenly realized I was allowing my fear of MG to control me. I was letting MG dictate my life. I always preach in my blogs that “you have MG; MG doesn’t have you”, so I realized I better follow my own advice. While I’m still physically capable and feeling up to it, I should never give up an opportunity to see my grandkids. I’ll have a backup plan in case I come home from my first trip unable to make the second, just to be prudent, but I will make that call at the time based on fact, not supposition. Don’t allow fear to make you miss out on the important things in your life. You have to manage fear just like you do your symptoms.
It’s also important to surround yourself with family and friends that support and uplift you. Isolation can amplify fear. When you isolate, you cut off communication and sometimes that means having to battle fear by yourself, alone. Remember, there’s strength in numbers, so when you start to feel fear coming on, surround yourself with positive, inspiring people who will share their strength to help you get through.
And when you feel like MG is winning, let faith in God become your strength. Trusting in God’s plan doesn’t mean denying the challenges; it means believing that He is with you through them, in spite of them. We’ve heard this verse so many times before: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”
God’s not going to let you walk through this battle alone. When fear creeps in, remind yourself that God is with you, His presence is constant, and He will guide you through every trial.
Living with Myasthenia Gravis is a journey in courage. Faith in God can lighten the burden. By facing fears with prayer, embracing small victories, fighting the urge to give in to fear, and trusting God’s plan, you can find the strength to keep going. You are not defined by MG; you are defined by your resilience and God’s unwavering and unconditional love.