Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Immune System

I have the flu.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I had an intestinal bug that kept me down for almost a week.

A couple of friends reminded me that even though I'm joyfully creating a new life, there has been a lot of stress as well. And that stress breaks down the immune system.

As a substitute teacher with asthma, I'm particularly vulnerable to any germ that comes down the hallway, wafting its way into the classroom.

So I need to become strong enough to fight off various viruses and infections. Have I been taking my vitamins, eating right, getting exercise and the right amount of rest? No, to all of the above. Today I'm starting back on the proper road of taking care of my physical needs.

All of this got me thinking about my spiritual immunities. There are temptations all around me, and I can rationalize almost anything to myself in my weaker moments. I believe we live in a wonderful and loving world, which has its share of evil in it.

When the demons of despair, envy, sorrow, and unworthiness attack me, how can I fight against them?

Just as I must physically arm myself for battle against illnesses, God's word is the antidote to a spiritual sickness.

I clothe myself in God's armor of love. I've never been a good Bible student. I can't tell you exactly where to find certain verses. However, I do have many of those verses written on my heart.

My blogger friend, Linda of Linda's Lines and Loves has claimed Philippians 4:13 as her own:

 I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

I love the idea of claiming God's word as though He has written it specifically for us. Because in truth, he has. That's part of the gift of having a personal savior.


My favorite verse is I Corinthians 13:13:

There are in the end but three things. Faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.

This reminds me that there is nothing in this world greater than the gift, the action verb, of love. All I must do is claim it.

At various times I'll find myself reciting The Lord's Prayer, or the 23rd Psalm, or the Great Commandment, when I'm not even aware of it. I happily sing "This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."


I find solace in the fact that God uses terribly flawed human beings to magnify his name. When reading of David's lust, Moses' act of murder, Peter's betrayal...I know that God is able to work in me as well.

Vitamin C, B12, and echinacea all have their place in my physical medicine cabinet. God's word is my prescription against much more serious affliction.

Have you been innoculated by God yet? There's still time.

Love,
Linda

2 comments:

~Niki~ said...

I'm praying you get better real soon. My 13 y.o. was sick most of this week w/ the flu. His test results come back 2morro to see if was the H1N1. My 8 y.o. stayed home today with a fever, not feeling good. I'm pooped, and it's not friday yet!

Linda said...

I pray that you are feeling much better by now. One of the Small Groups I am part of right now is studying Linda Dillow's book, "Calm My Anxious Heart." While I don't agree totally with everything she writes (I learned I don't have to agree with everything authors write--it isn't the Bible)-there are many thoughts that make me think about my life and relationship. A study I was in last spring was "Having A Mary Spirit" by Joanna Weaver. It is an excellent book-I highly recommend it!

Praying for you daily!
Please stay in touch!
A Sister in Christ's Love,
Linda