Stopping the Itch

The last few weeks have been hectic at best...and total chaos at its worst. Between the two summer school sessions, I took thirteen hours...definately considered a full load. My stress level has been beyond anything I've endured in a long time. To top it all off, I've fought a migraine headache every day for the last two weeks. It's been a vicious cycle...stress causes headache...headache prevents me from being able to concentrate on homework....getting behind in Algebra stressed me out even more....got another headache...well you get the picture!

Then to add insult to injury, I ran out of the presciption medicine I normally take for migraines late last Friday night. I called the pharmacy only to find that I didn't have another refill. Not wanting to have to go to the Emergency Room, I instead took two Exedrin Migraine tablets. I woke up about 4 a.m. feeling like my skin was on fire. Going to the bathroom and turning on the light, I found myself covered in bright red blotches. It turns out, I'm allergic to Exedrin Migraine tablets...and I now had the hives.

For three days I alternated between trying not to scratch and trying to stay awake after taking Benedryl for the itch. I was quite miserable and cranky to the point that no one wanted to be around me. I wondered if this is isolated and alone people with leprosy felt. The pesky red rash left no part of me untouched...including the inside of my throat, between my toes and....the deepest part of my ear canal that nothing could ever reach!

I thought if I could just get to it, I'd be able to scratch that itch and it would feel so much better! I could rub just below my ear and it helped a bit...for just a little while.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 says For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

Just like a good set of fingernails can be used for the hives, a mosquito bite or dry skin...we can always search and find a message that will make us feel good...to soothe our itching ears, just like we soothe our itching skin. Unfortunately, just as scratching a rash is a temporary fix until the allergy medication can rid our bodies of the cause of the itch....always looking for a "feel good" message is also a short term remedy.

Instead, we need to jump back up to Chapter 3 verses 16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work

See, not every message that God needs us to hear...is pleasant. But it is always necessary. Without the teachings that make us uncomfortable, how can we ever grow in God's grace?