2024 Reflection
- Ariel Evans
- Dec 31, 2024
- 6 min read
Before you read this post, I want to apologize for my inability to be consistent in posting this year. I neglected this blog because life was too hard to process in written form and as much as I am transparent and vulnerable, that takes energy and energy is something I did not have much of this year.
I am happy to share that I have been writing consistently for 23 days now (including today) and that's the longest writing streak I've had this year. I am not sure what I will share on this blog or how often I will share, but I do plan on utilizing this space more frequently in the 2025.
Now, for my 2024 reflection.
Simply Thoughts 💭 End of the Year Reflection
TBH I’ve never had a year like 2024.
I feel like the “new year” (2024) began for me while I was recovering from gallbladder removal surgery.
That was July.
January to June was filled with severe pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, IVs, blood work, pain-somnia (pain induced insomnia), changes in my diet that led to rapid weight loss because my digestive system was not functioning properly, emergency room visits and doctors appointments. I was blessed though, with some great phlebotomist, patient and caring nurses, and experienced doctors and surgeons.
I saw God's hand as he did not allow my original surgeon to operate on me for reasons unknown besides we know we didn't feel comfortable around him on my original surgery date. God knows all things and I choose to believe he kept me from what could have been an unfortunate situation by moving surgery date and changing my surgeon.
Not to mention, I learned how the medical system works when you have insurance versus when you don't (*don't let your insurance lapse it's a 0/10 experience). The care I received did not change, though! Whew! Thank You, Jesus! Lastly, I learned how a scheduled surgery can be cancelled (and the devastation that comes with it) versus how quickly an "emergency" surgery happens.
It's still wild to me that they discovered I had gallstones in January but my condition was "not life threatening". So I had to wait until it got to that point to justify it getting removed which didn't happen until June. The pain I experienced, I don't even wish for my worst enemy. It was only by God's grace that I made it because I really thought I was going to die. Speaking of dying, I had a fear of dying this year that God helped me to confront, I'm beyond grateful for that because God did not give us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).
Since 2017, I’ve lived with chronic pain due to autoimmune issues but in 2024, those concerns took a backseat while trying to sort out my digestive issues. In 2022 and 2023, I was told I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and I had all of the symptoms but ultimately they discovered it was my gallbladder. I have to find it again but I found research (and my surgeon confirmed) that gallbladder issues can initially present itself as IBS. Anywho, my doctor told me she wanted me to follow up with the rheumatologist I saw last December, and I agreed. I however, ultimately told her, I could live with the joint pain, fatigue and inflammation but the pain from my gallbladder was more severe and my main focus.
🙌🏾 Now, I have experienced the healing power of God throughout this year and my entire life and my faith is (still) focused on knowing that "with his stripes I AM HEALED" Isaiah 53:5 🙏🏾
🙌🏾One scripture that replayed in my mind throughout this process was
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
My faith in God as Jehovah Rapha - The God Who Heals - has not changed, however my perspective while enduring pain and sickness has shifted. It is quite frustrating at times because God has used me countless times to lay hands on people and they were healed. He's healed me and I've seen him heal others throughout my life. There have been times when I was in need of healing and he did not heal me (has not healed me, yet) ... well he doesn't always do it immediately or he doesn't do it in the way that I wanted or expected him to. His will is perfect and his timing is perfect, nonetheless.
It's in these times where I become discouraged at first because who wants to be in pain or deal with same issue for years? But throughout the healing process (because sometimes it is a process), God has taught me how to set boundaries, how to listen to my body and take care of my body and most importantly, how to persevere. How to trust in him and his word even though I might not see or feel a change in my body, he's still working and moving in my life.
My faith has also been increased to decree healing over my body. We have the power of life and death in our tongue (Proverbs 18:21), so why not speak life and healing over ourselves until we see it manifested by the power of God!
So tomorrow 2025 begins, but I feel like I’m only 5 months into 2024 in terms of life (actively) lived beyond my sickbed.
Dealing with ongoing health issues really leaves you feeling like your time was stolen. As I reflect on my year, I feel like I was robbed of time due to being sick.
My biggest fear is to waste the [ limited ] time God has given me on earth. So being sick for a good chunk of the year feels like time wasted.
However, throughout this year I learned a lot about myself, my body and even grew closer to my husband as a result of my health challenges we faced together this year. So all in all, I know my time wasn’t wasted or stolen … it just feels like it because I really began this year severely ill from literally the first day.
TMI loading ... I remember profusely vomiting on January 1, 2024 (I had some sort of virus that wasn't COVID) and in the middle of it, internally I told God I didn't wanted to die and asked him if this was how I was going to die. I heard the Holy Spirit say, "No Ariel, you're not going to die." In that moment I was still very much sick but I had peace and comfort that whatever was happening in my body would pass. A week later I had to go to ER because I had a fever of over 100, vomiting, body aches and muscle weakness and a horrible sore throat. Before my husband took me to the ER, I remember playing praise music and declaring over myself that I shall live and not die! (Psalm 118:17)
That is how my first week of this year went. I had no idea that that was only the beginning of my health issues this year.
In conclusion, I'd like to state that I’ve experienced God’s grace, strength and compassion in such amazing ways this year. God has expanded my capacity and community while healing me (physically and emotionally) and deepening my faith and trust in him. I’m grateful for what I’ve unlearned this year and areas where I’ve grown.
Although, I feel (to an extent) I was robbed of time in 2024, I had a lot of moments of joy in the midst of the pain. God has been with me every step of the way. I would not be here today without God seeing me through.
I said all this to say -
🌻Many do not get a break from health issues. 2025 is a new year but with the same hospital, same diagnosis and same doctors.
🌻My prayer is for God's healing virtue to flow to everyone in a health crisis - mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
🌻May his miracle working power meet you right where you are.
🌻May 2025 be a year of healing, restoration and peace for your body, soul and spirit.
🌻May the Holy Spirit minister to you and meet your every need, I pray these things in the name of Jesus. 🙏🏾
Remember -
🌻Please have compassion and extend grace to everyone you meet. You might not understand, but please be patient and kind.
🌻Please speak life and encouragement over yourself and others.
🌻We are all going through something whether we express it outwardly or not. We show up with smiles on our faces and “business as usual” but we’re fighting for our lives (mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually).
And lastly,
Godspeed 🙏🏾💛
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