“It’s an intruder! Attack!”
“No, wait! I’m not an intruder. We’re a family!”
“Liar! Attack! Attack!”
This is what goes on inside the body of someone with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease; a disorder in which the immune system attacks the thyroid because it looks at the thyroid as a foreigner in the body. The thyroid is located in the front of your neck. It’s in the shape of a butterfly. The thyroid gland makes hormones that control metabolism and energy.
Low or non-functioning thyroid can lead to hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid does not make enough hormones for the body’s needs. It can cause certain symptoms such as fatigue, depression, weight gain, hair loss, constant joint and muscle pain. If the thyroid cannot function, being attacked constantly, it affects other parts of the body.
I was diagnosed with this condition when I was about 16 years old. Yet, I haven’t made efforts to care for myself properly. Not understanding how serious my condition was, I didn’t take my medicine for three months straight and caused damage to my body. After turning 30 and doing research on hypothyroidism, I began to understand its severity and dangers if not properly cared for. I also got a spiritual realization from my illness caused by the immune system that attacks the thyroid as if it’s an intruder.
“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Ro 12:4–5)
I realized that we must work together and not against each other. If one person attacks another in the one body of Christ which we are all a part of, the body will not function correctly. It’s just like when the immune system attacks the thyroid. The whole body suffers in the end. If every part is not united, the gospel work cannot help but slow down, as we must work together for it.
I’ve hated that Hashimoto’s thyroiditis has been a part of me. I’ve never thought seriously how critical and dangerous the side effects can be when I don’t take care of it. I haven’t looked after the body that God has given me. Actually, I did not take care of my soul as well as the body. I did not unite with brothers and sisters although Father and Mother told me to do so. I troubled myself because I only depend on myself. I didn’t trust people that I didn’t ask for help. I don’t ask God either because I didn’t want to bother Them and wanted to show Them that I could do it myself. The things I did myself always failed. I was such an arrogant child. How much have I made God Elohim suffer? I didn’t consider brothers and sisters who were my fellow body parts. I was selfish. I am so sorry to Heavenly Father and Mother.
Now I will try to unite with my brothers and sisters. I don’t want to turn my back on anyone anymore; I want to give all my heart to them. I will also make efforts for the world evangelism with my brothers and sisters with one accord so that I can please God.