This past week has been difficult. I’ve been struggling with some new health issues — as if I didn’t already have enough going on. Whenever something new jumps into my world, I tend to get overwhelmed by everything else. It’s like the new thing takes all my attention, and everything else starts to feel like just one more problem piled on top.
I wonder if anyone else does this. Is it an ADHD thing, or just a me thing?
After feeling sick for days, I finally went to the ER. They ran a bunch of tests, gave me some strong medicine, and then told me my liver counts were high. I was shocked. I don’t drink, I eat carefully, I try to take care of myself — so what in the world was causing this?
At first, it felt really discouraging. I caught myself thinking, “Oh great… here we go again… woe is me.”
But after the initial wave of self-pity, something inside me softened. I began to sense that maybe this was God’s reminder to me — a nudge to slow down and keep my life simple.
God’s Nudge Toward Simplicity
When you’re neurodivergent and chronically ill, simplicity isn’t just a nice idea — it’s survival. My body and mind both work better when life is quiet, steady, and uncluttered.
I think back to the years when I worked full-time, single-parented, went to school, helped in our homeschool co-op, and stayed active in church. That was before I got sick. Part of me still hopes to get back to that version of myself — the one who could juggle a dozen things at once. But maybe that’s not what God is asking of me anymore.
I listened to a podcast recently that said God wants all of us to be healthy. I liked the sound of that, and I tried to “claim my healing.” But the truth is, sometimes healing doesn’t look the way we expect. Paul wrote about having a “thorn in his flesh” — something painful that God chose not to remove.
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”
— 2 Corinthians 12:8–9
Maybe my chronic illness is my own “thorn.” I don’t know how long I’ll have to carry it, but I do know this: even in weakness, God’s strength shines through.
Learning to Accept My “New Normal”
So here I am — learning, again, to accept my “new normal.”
That means keeping life simple.
Getting plenty of rest.
Practicing self-care without guilt.
Doing only what my body can handle — and believing that’s enough.
There’s nothing wrong with living slower, even though the world may call it laziness or weakness. God calls it wisdom. He says:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
I don’t yet know what simplicity will fully look like for me. I still have to work full-time and take care of the responsibilities that aren’t optional. But maybe simplicity isn’t about having less to do — maybe it’s about doing what I can with peace, and trusting God with the rest.
Reflection
• God uses limitations to lead us into peace. What feels like a setback may actually be His protection.
• Simple doesn’t mean small. Living gently, slowly, and intentionally still honors God.
• Weakness can be holy. When we stop striving and start trusting, we create space for grace.
Journaling Prompt
Where might God be inviting me to simplify my life right now?
What would it look like to let go of what’s no longer mine to carry?
Chronically Adultish 
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