Joy to the World

“You have PCOS.” 

Wait, what? I thought. Yeah, I’d heard of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). I knew what it was. I just didn’t think it could happen to me—until it did. Last Monday, what I’d expected to be a routine doctor’s visit ended up being something totally different. Sure, I had a few complaints—weight gain, worse-than-usual acne, and wacky, irregular periods. But I assumed it wasn’t a big deal. 

I was wrong. 

For those of you who don’t already know, PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that happens when a woman’s body produces too many androgens (male hormones). Not only can it cause annoying symptoms like acne and weight gain, but it can also lead to serious health problems later in life. However, if it’s treated early (like in my case), many of those problems can be avoided. 

Part of me was thankful. I was relieved to know why I’d been struggling for so long. I’d been having weird symptoms for a few years, and I felt like my doctor wasn’t taking me seriously, but I didn’t want to make a big deal of it. But thanks to my friend J, who urged me to see a new doctor, I finally got a diagnosis. 

Deep down, though, I was also worried. Over the next few days, there were lots of what-ifs swirling around in my mind. What if the medicine doesn’t work? What if my acne and weight gain don’t go away? What if I have to deal with this for the rest of my life? 

On Sunday, my church continued its sermon series, “Joy to the World.” I, however, was anything but joyful. While everyone around me was celebrating the Christmas season, I was dealing with a life-changing diagnosis. I tuned out the Christmas carols and holiday hymns. How could there be “peace on Earth” when my life had just been flipped upside-down? 

But after the service, a conversation with a friend completely changed my perspective. I told her about my diagnosis and how I was worried that the medicine wouldn’t work. She told me that she was so glad I was getting treatment, but that it’s also important to accept my body as it is. And honestly? Sometimes it’s hard to be okay with my acne scars and stretch marks. But I’m getting there. I’m learning to see my battle scars as a reminder that God will carry me through this. My disease will not defeat me or have the final say in my life. PCOS may have ravaged my body, but I won’t let it crush my spirit. 

Let every heart prepare Him room. Yes, indeed. We should always make room for God, regardless of what is going on in our lives. Christmas is a reminder that God is with us, even in our less-than-ideal circumstances. If we allow our circumstances to steal our joy, we’ll miss out on God’s presence in our lives. When Jesus was born, the innkeepers turned his family away, like, “Sorry, we have no room for you here. But maybe try that stable over there—that looks like a great place to give birth to the Son of God.” Can you imagine that? The Creator of the universe being born in a filthy stable? The King above all kings being laid down to sleep in a manger surrounded by smelly barnyard animals? It might sound crazy, but that’s how it happened—because God loves us that much. Even when we don’t make room for Him, God still makes room for us. That is the true meaning of Christmas.