Let’s BE REAL
There is something bothering me. I am trying to find out one thing. Being realistic about life, does it mean a realistic person lacks faith? What I see around me and in this part of the world is something that is making me go into serious thoughts.
Once upon a time in my dear country, when you ask a friend why she is not looking too well, she answers with words like; I have a cold, I am not feeling too well today, I’ve caught the flu, I have a sore throat, I have a running stomach, My head aches, I feel pain on my knees, I am down with a fever and so on. This was a few years back. Right now, it is different. When I see depressed looks, I cannot say what is wrong with even my own friends, and colleagues.
The new trend is “It is well” This response
is the new name for all forms of ailments. These days, it is as if one should not bother to ask because I will still get the same answer “It Is Well” My fear is that in the nearest future, some people especially we the women may rise up and begin to protest against hospitals, Medical Doctors and all health workers. I have this funny feeling and I pray that no one in my beloved country will begin to think that since we have Ministers of the gospel, then there is no need for Medicare.
May there never come a time when pregnant women will begin to opt for Antenatal care in their worship centers rather than in Hospitals. May there never come a period in this country where people will ask their pastors to take the place of hospitals and Health Centers.
Recently I have become so self conscious when I talk with people because we as a people are beginning to be too judgmental. Once you say to someone that you are sick, their response to you is like they are telling you that you do not believe in God. Just tell a lady that you have Yeast Infection, the first thing she asks you is do you believe in miracles? Then she goes on to give you an invitation to see her pastor for prayers. She quotes what we all know and believe in like *By his stripes we are healed* Sickness is not of God* Rebuke the devourer and he shall flee away from you* The devil comes not but for to steal and kill but I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly* I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in good health even as thy soul prospereth* After the Invitation, Soul winning messages begin right there. Without trying to find out how far you have gone with your Gynecologist or what you are doing to help yourself. Hmmm, I believe in miracles, I believe in the healing power of God, I believe that there is nothing impossible with God. I am redeemed by his precious blood. I don’t know if being a Christian forbids me from mentioning names of illnesses. I wish to know if seeking help outside while praying is forbidden. There is nothing wrong with reminding a sister what is written. After all, “Iron sharpeneth Iron”
Is anything wrong with suggesting a good Hospital to a sick friend, or is it wrong to go see a Medical Doctor? It is only on TV these days that I see people complain about their eyesight or hearing problems. In the neighborhood, that kind of complain may earn one a sharp rebuke for not having faith.
I remember once my baby was absent from School cos she was not feeling too well that day. A visitor saw her at home and wanted to know why she stayed away from school. I still remember her shock when I told her that the little girl had a fever. She quickly rebuked me for using negative words. She corrected me that all I needed to say was that “My baby is strong” Yes. I do not believe that saying what was wrong with my child will prevent her from getting well. I do not believe that mentioning the word “fever” deletes my faith in healing.
I once posted on this blog about a skin condition I have had for years now. Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis is not a disease, It’s cause is unknown. Doctors feel it is not a disease and as such does not require any treatment. They say it is just the skin losing it’s pigmentation just like hair turns grey on the head. Sometimes I feel like it is gone, but whenever I go through any form of stress, it just resurfaces. I am doing a lot of research trying to find a way of increasing melanin production on my skin apart from exposure to sunlight. Now I know that to some people, mentioning a condition or illness that one is struggling with is forbidden. All I need to say “is it is well.” ( This reminds me of the movie ‘3 Idiots’)
I do not think that people who are born with certain conditions, are that way, because they or their parents do not have faith in the Almighty. Faith is different from fantasy!
We make it difficult for people to be open end expressive. We are too quick to quote Scripture in a very judgmental way. Let us not forget that life happens and going to church does not stop anyone from experiencing the realities of life. Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people.
In this life, I will prefer to be realistic about happenings in life . For me, it is better to live life getting prepared for even the unexpected because that is reality. Sickness is a fact of life, Suffering is a fact of life and even Death too. We cannot run away from these things. We can only trust God to be with us, *when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death*
I believe that He can heal all our diseases. I believe that that healing can also be sent through those we open up to.
Agreed the widow told the prophet “It Is Well” After saying that, she went on to tell the Prophet her real problem. She told him why she has come to see him.
What about those who go about preaching the word without hands and legs? What of those who want to preach and inspire others with their Physical disabilities?
A colleague visited me once with her bubbly 9 year old boy. He could not sit still and refused to take any instructions from his mother. We got chatting, she made some references to the boy and I chipped in a word too. I told her that ‘”He is full of life and a bit stubborn” That did not go down well with her. She told me point blank that she did not like my using a negative word such as *stubborn* on her son. Well I did not mean to hurt her, I was only being realistic. So I thought.
'We are too quick to quote Scripture in a very judgmental way. Let us not forget that life happens and going to church does not stop anyone from experiencing the realities of life. Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people.' Words on Marble. Eya, you are so right. There should be a healthy balance between spirituality and the secular, after all, we are in this world first, but not of this world. Some Christians just like to adopt a mystical approach to life!!!
I agree totally with your last sentence. The balance helps us not to forget that we are still mortals and not spirits or some kind of supernatural beings. Thank you.
You've said it all. I prefer to be real with myself and God. My dear, the woman you spoke about, I wonder how she will discipline the son if she cannot be real. Na wa.
She won't discipline him and I pray it doesn't get to when she will start keeping night vigils asking God to change him. @Myne, this post came while on your site o. Thanks.
At the end of the day even if you are not being real with men, you cannot fool God. So me? I choose to be real…….always……I pray people sense that from my blogs. I really do.
I agree with you Salt, you are damn real.
PEOPLE THESE DAYS WOULD RATHER LIVE IN DENIAL THAN ADMIT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. A FEW YEARS AGO, A FRIEND OF MINE WHO WAS HYPERTENSIVE STOPPED TAKING HER DRUGS BECAUSE SHE WENT TO A NIGHT VIGIL AND WAS INFORMED THAT IF SHE BELIEVED IT, HER ALIMENT WAS HEALED. A FEW DAYS LATER SHE HAD A MASSIVE STROKE THAT LEFT HER PARALIZED ALL TRU HER BODY. SHE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 3 MONTHS BEFORE SHE COULD SIT UP I BED. 3 YEARS LATER SHE STILL WALKS WITH A STICK. PEOPLE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS GOD WHO GIVES HUMANS THE INTELLIGENCE TO CREATE DRUGS FOR OUR ILLNESSES.
TODAY I DONT HAVE A LOT OF FRIEND BECAUSE I AM VERY BLUNT. I ALSO GET IRRITATED WHEN PEOPLE "FORM" AROUND ME. I CANT STAND FAKE PEOPLE. I WOULD RATHER BE WITH A FEW TRUE FRIENDS WHO WILL TELL ME THE TRUTH TO MY FACE, THAN HUNDREDS OF FALSE FRIENDS WHO BAD MOUTH ME IN MY ABSENCE.
To me, A frienemy is not a true friend. Better with a few good ones than many "Brutus"
@Sue, Thanks again.
YOU ARE WELCOME…
It is well… Hahaha! Sorry I couldn't resist. Hmm… I totally understand what you mean but Christians like to walk in the Spirit. They believe good things are their portion and will happen once they speak it to existence hence the "it is wells" and positive confessions. I see things from this angle and I also see it from the "Christian" (for lack of another word) angle. Decree a thing and it shall be established, the power of life and death lies in the tongue, just a few scriptures that encourage me to speak positively. I don't live in denial o. When I'm broke I can say I'm broke BUT God will sort me out soon or something like that. I'll stop now.
Let me add that some parts made me laugh.
Xx
I understand you perfectly!!!
I feel your fears and pain Eya. The issues irritates the haeck out of me. I dont even bother asking what is wrong with some people cause I know their stock response.
And when they re finally willing to admit that it is not well, it is sometimes too late for medics to do anything.
Tnx so much 4ds Eya, it's so unfortun8 dt pple nowadayz live far 4rm reality.
Ths reminds of 2incidents I had wt my neighbour, we were 2bake in an electric oven, considerg d epileptic power supply I requested a back up (big old pot n stove) she said 'my sis, join faith wt me dy won't take light' I sounded lyk an unbeliever; u can bettr imagine d rest of d story aftr PHCN struck.
On d odr occasion; I was tryg 2advice on family planng cuz she add a kid barely one year n doing a postgraduate studies n exams n was really complaing of stress; I told her if anodr baby shld come unplannd 4 she wl knw d definitn of stress; she told me her husby understnds when she doesn't feel lyk doing 'it' he leaves her. U won't believe barely 3wks l8r she started wt morning sickness n was still tellg me it cannot be true; now she is heavy. @tyms ds ppl mk u feel lyk u are an atheist or smthg. Mrs AJ
Tnx so much 4ds Eya, it's so unfortun8 dt pple nowadayz live far 4rm reality.
Ths reminds of 2incidents I had wt my neighbour, we were 2bake in an electric oven, considerg d epileptic power supply I requested a back up (big old pot n stove) she said 'my sis, join faith wt me dy won't take light' I sounded lyk an unbeliever; u can bettr imagine d rest of d story aftr PHCN struck.
On d odr occasion; I was tryg 2advice on family planng cuz she add a kid barely one year n doing a postgraduate studies n exams n was really complaing of stress; I told her if anodr baby shld come unplannd 4 she wl knw d definitn of stress; she told me her husby understnds when she doesn't feel lyk doing 'it' he leaves her. U won't believe barely 3wks l8r she started wt morning sickness n was still tellg me it cannot be true; now she is heavy. @tyms ds ppl mk u feel lyk u are an atheist or smthg. Mrs AJ
Na wa o, see what I'm saying. Now, what has she said to you about the pregnancy. Please don't nag her about it, Just leave matter for mata.
Nag keh! Dt's d last thg I will do; d whole thg don already show na