Hansen’s Disease, or Leprosy, is an infection caused by a slow-growing bacteria which primarily affects the skin and nerves of extremities.¹ Its appearance is repulsive to others and may strike fear in anyone coming in contact with a person who has the disease. Historical accounts of the disease confirm it was more prevalent at one time. However, advances in the medical arena regarding the cause and treatment, have greatly reduced its occurrence, particularly in the United States. Although Leprosy may appear to be a terrifying illness, today’s environment shows that humanity is suffering from other massive, unhealthy conditions of body and mind which manifest its symptoms through physical and spiritual illness. A strain of decadent secular bacteria is running rampant, attempting to declare victory over otherwise healthy physical and spiritual organisms. Some of these rapid-moving bacteria profiles:
When these toxins and others invade our bodies and minds, healing (being made whole) and restoration (bringing back to its original state) are the counterattacks against this degenerate type of bacteria that seeks to declare victory over our minds, emotions, and physical bodies. Being made whole begins when we allow the Divine Physician to possess our souls and spirits and irrigate our minds to cleanse us from “stinkin’ thinkin’.” Restoration begins when we humble ourselves and cease doing it our way: ” Trust in the Lord…” “If my people…” (Proverbs 3:5-6; 2 Chronicles 7:14) I have always questioned our seemingly desperate need to trust the secular medical/psychological community for whatever ails us. Some of these may prove to be successful treatments, but in many cases, only mask the symptoms and leave an ugly, stubborn root to continue to grow. Secular intervention may make us feel better, but also might possibly have adverse side effects. We all have wounds of some kind for which we need healing and restoration. Many of our veterans hold deep wounds physically and mentally. Some children and adults are being physically and sexually abused, and many children will carry these wounds into adulthood. Healing is needed for the abused and the abuser. For serious physical, mental, and spiritual wounds, there are no microwave-like cures. Faith in our Divine Physician will give us the courage to name Him as our primary physician. There is no doubt that in many cases we could need the knowledge and wisdom of a medical professional, and we are grateful for this option, when necessary. But while waiting, our faith should be sealed in the power of God to make us whole and restore us to health. His Son came to set the prisoners free. (Luke 4:18) Each one of us, our country, our families, our children, are in critical need of restoration and healing. Total healing with medical assistance, is at best illusive and temporary for complete wholeness. Let us strengthen our immune systems by trusting and renewing our faith in God to restore and make us whole. (Isaiah 53:5) ¹https://www.health.com> health >Leprosy
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One of the most memorable scenes I can recall in this modern age of television and movies involved an object lesson on unconditional love. Yes, something positive! The final scene divulges a mother making a final statement to the young man found guilty of killing her only son without reason or mercy. She recounts to the young murderer how she has tried to hate him but can’t. She emotionally declares she has decided on the alternative of praying for him because he will need prayer to survive in the “terrible” place (prison) he is being sent. Keeping to its simplest definition, hatred is a strong, intense antagonism and dislike. Far too often this feeling will prompt injury to another. When we speak of hatred, there is an entire catalog of meanings that linger throughout our world. Some are interchangeable between religion and culture. Racial Hatred of Specific Cultures: Jews, African Americans, Hispanics, Arabs Religious Groups: Christian, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish Social Groups: Homeless, LGBT community or orientation choice, uneducated, mentally ill, poor, foreign, disabled, elderly Sometimes the word hate is used so loosely that I am reminded of a lizard’s tongue zipping in and out. “I hate my hair,” “I hate this dress,” “I hate these shoes,” “I hate this food,” “I hate, hate, hate, fill-in-the-blank!” Predictably, if you were to take a survey of why a specific hatred exists toward another, there probably would be responses of stutters, coughs, mumbles, blank stares, or amoeba-like answers. Unconditional love is a powerful and lethal weapon against hatred. This love is the genesis of humanity’s existence. It’s the kind of love that loves your children or spouse when they get on your last nerve. It’s the kind of love that forgives another when they are unlikeable, unfaithful, weak, act out in ugly ways, or go against your morals. Unconditional love is based upon being able to get past behavior and see the value and intrinsic worth of another. It does not mean you agree, support, or affirm their behavior, but it does mean you do not have the entitlement to discriminate against cultures, religions, or other social groups. In the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son, the younger one was a major screw-up who blew all his inheritance on partying and running wild. But after living with pigs for a time, he decided to go home. When he arrived, his father did not remind him of his bad behavior but instead welcomed him home with a great celebration. (Luke 15:11-31) All of us are damaged goods, but God does not treat us as rotting garbage in a bin. To Him, we are priceless packages. He demonstrates His mercy and compassion every day. He actively provides for our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. In the scheme of life, we must understand what God values. Is your relationship with your spouse greater than a burnt dinner, or a smashed bumper or headlight on the car or some other infraction? These are things to ask yourself. What is their true worth in comparison to another? Even when we go through trials and tribulations God is never the Adversary, the enemy, or the hater.
“For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16)
It may be a little premature to talk about a Christmas character at the beginning of the fall season, but Rudolph the reindeer is a classic example of a perceived imperfection. As the tale goes, he was treated as a misfit by his fellow reindeer because he had a red nose. His red nose made him a perfect target of ridicule and shame. One of his team members even tried to cover his nose with mud to make it less visible so he would look more like his fellow reindeer. Of course, we all know how this story ends with Rudolph becoming the hero who saves Christmas. With his red nose, he leads Santa’s team of reindeer through a blinding snowstorm making it possible for Santa to deliver presents throughout the world. His destiny went beyond what others thought of him. As humans, sometimes we are our worst enemies. Not only do we allow others to fit us into their square root of acceptability, but we swallow these non-nutritious ingredients and allow others to remind us of our flaws. We carry our bad choices, mistakes, and screwups as a backpack in our souls. Our mistakes manifest as guilt, shame, embarrassment, unforgiveness, anger, jealousy, low self-esteem—worse, a low opinion of ourselves and a whole barrel of other “stuff.” Horror of horrors, we are imperfect! Since the beginning when God created humanity and gave us free will, we have been imperfect. Man and woman could have remained innocent and lived completely under the care of their Father, but they chose to operate as free thinkers, a choice that changed them and the lives of the entire world. Some of the greatest servants of God had their share of imperfections including: lying, cheating, murdering, adultery, lust, cowardice, ad infinitum. You see, “…there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) And what about our personal views and the opinions of others concerning our physical attributes: nose, lips, height, body type, size, hair? Frequently, we are threatened or intimidated by someone who we think is more attractive or has different physical features than we have. When we allow these to become our crowing roosters, we place barbed wire around God’s purpose for our life. Living by faith is like giving water to a thirsty plant. When watered, the plant begins to stand upward, and its beauty returns. Likewise, when we believe we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” and that God has designed each of us for a specific purpose, we thrive. (Psalm 139:14) He sees beyond our mirror and the eyes of others. His goal is not to change or correct our physical unchangeables. His view of us is inward and not outward. He seeks to change our hearts. (Romans 12:2) As for mistakes, bad choices, and screw-ups, they are bruises that have two benchmarks for healing. First, seek God’s forgiveness His Way, secondly, forgive yourself. Both lead to freedom. “Whom the Son has set free, is free indeed. (John 14:6; 8:36) We are all a little peculiar, and all are imperfect, but we are all perfectly loved by God. Resting in this truth, gives us perfect focus! |
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