We have the Ellie May Clampett of Yorkies. Our little dog is supposed to be one of those prissy little things that likes to wear ribbons in their hair and look like this.
However, just like that old show, the Beverly Hillbillies, this one refuses to wear ribbons and likes to wallow around in the floor and is quite the challenge to keep groomed. Our little Bella is a little further down the page - bowless.
She is loving and loyal and fiercely protective of my husband and me. She's not a barker unless someone approaches the house and then all seven pounds of her becomes bold as a lion.
When there is a storm brewing and the thunder begins to rumble, she runs from door to door to make sure that the evil sound that can shake the house sometimes does not make it's way into the living room.
We find her fierceness cute and really endearing that she doesn't understand the the lightning is the real danger not the sound that the lightning causes. She is going to fight the symptom, not the actual real problem.
Of course I realize that she can't and would get killed if she tried but that is not the point here. What is the point?
Let me pose another question. How often do we address the symptom of a problem ergo the thunder and not the real problem - the lightning? We aim at fixing or overcoming that which is tangible and most noticeable to our own understanding often without consulting God or His word to really make a difference in the troubling rumblings that often invade our lives.
The first and most important step in seeking a cure is an accurate diagnosis of the problem. Symptoms must be carefully interpreted so that underlying causes are not overlooked. A couple of years back, my husband developed some numbness in his right hand and was unable to move his fingers with any accuracy at all. There was some pain in his elbow area but none in his hand.
This is a BIG deal in our household because the man is a keyboard player and making music is how he makes money. Therefore, he quickly made an appointment with a neurologist who did some nerve tests and determined that he had carpel tunnel syndrome and began some physical therapy. The problem became worse so the next step was to go to a orthopedist to determine what surgery and when. (gasp)
Upon doing a few x-rays from the hand to the elbow and up to his neck, this doctor came back with a completely different diagnosis. He didn't have a problem in his hand where the symptoms were most prevalent but he had a compressed disc in his neck. WHAT?
Intensive physical therapy began which included pulling his head and his body in different directions sort of like a medieval torture rack. Nothing changed during the first torture session, nothing changed during the second torture session and of course, he was ready to quit as most of us would have been.
Then, on the third session, MAGIC! The numbness began to dissipate and he was able to move his fingers freely. By the fourth therapy, he could play again and everybody was so happy in our house, we rejoiced and praised God and we literally danced in the kitchen.
The thunder was the pain and numbness in his hand, the lightning was compressed neck vertebrae. This is another life lesson where the physical can help us with the spiritual.
In Matthew 15 Jesus teaches a vital lesson in spiritual diagnosis. What He says is fundamental to living the Christian life. He exposes the superficiality of Pharisaical religion by putting His finger on the source of all our sinful behaviors.
It is not what goes into a person that defiles him. It is what comes out of him — the corrupted streams that flow from a corrupted heart. “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone” (vv. 19–20).
This is essential information for spiritual health because it keeps us from misdiagnosing our real problem. So often we are quick to blame others for our failures and shortcomings. We even mask how we do this by employing the “if-only” rationale to excuse our sin. “If only I had been raised differently…I had a better job…you hadn’t provoked me…my husband would listen to me…my church were better….” The list is endless and usually contains genuinely flawed people and circumstances that are blameworthy.
If I have allowed myself to become bitter over how someone treated me, what is at the root of my problem? In the case of bitterness, it's usually unforgiveness. God's word is very clear about this topic and should I practice what it teaches, bitterness would never have taken root for I would have chosen (that's an act of the will) to forgive.
My dear ones whatever your symptoms are, look to God and His word, The Lord does not treat only our symptoms. He addresses the root cause of all our problems. By the power of His Spirit and His Word, He changes us so that we become “new creations” (2 Cor. 5:17).
Are you not getting worn out from barking at thunder?
I love you.
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