The last several weeks have been a lesson in control for me. I've learned again how little I actually have control over. It was a lesson in how little I can control even in my own body.

This may have happened to some of you. A few weeks ago my blood pressure began to climb. Two weeks ago it reached dangerous levels. Since I've always had low blood pressure I never was worried about this.

What was happening kept running through my mind. Whose body was this anyway was another question I had. I had zero control over what was happening to me.

I had control over two aspects of this situation. First of all we turned to doctors and nurses for help. I want to thank the staff of Community Hospital in Munster, more specifically, the staff of the emergency room. They stabilized me, not once but several times within the last week and a half. They were calming and reassuring which is exactly what I needed. And miraculously they do this each and every day.

The other aspect of this that I had control over was my reaction. Did I handle this perfectly? I'd like to say I did, but the truth is that I didn't. My first instinct was fear, which was probably good. The good part was that adrenaline rushed in to give me energy. I needed that.

However, I needed to turn the fear into faith and trust. I needed to trust the doctors and nurses. More importantly I needed to trust my Higher Power. As my faith and trust rushed in I was able to become calmer.

Sometimes it was a battle between fear and faith. For anyone dealing with a difficult situation in your life right now, I understand how difficult it is to believe that things will get better. But they do get better.

It may even be that your problem, whatever it is, is a gift. How can that be? Most of us take things for granted when our lives are going well. We may not turn to others for help. We become too self-sufficient. And when things are tough many of us turn to our Higher Power for help. There is an old saying that there are no atheists in a foxhole.

Problems make us grateful to the people in our lives. I'm so grateful to my husband who drove me to the ER three times in the last week and a half. I'm so grateful to my children who kept calling to see how I was. And my friends were incredible in their caring and concern.

I have a wonderful life which sometimes I take for granted. I have learned through this to really be grateful for my health. My mother used to say that if you have your health you have everything. I never appreciated that statement until I got older -- much older.

Look at your life. I would encourage all of you to make a gratitude list. I know it will be much longer than you would have thought. Be grateful for your life. You are here for a reason.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. Dr. Myrna Sarowitz is a professionally trained life coach. With a private practice in Schererville, she also is a licensed clinical psychologist. She can be reached at livingyourjoy@sbcglobal.net.