I Found the Cure

In our lives today we have so many issues and problems that exist in our marriage, family, job, and friends and even within our church. Counselors and psychologist are getting a lot of business in this country. Depression is constantly rising and well as other psychological and emotional disorders in which many of these cause physical problems. Americans are probably some of the unhealthiest people on the planet. It’s seems kind of strange that many people from other countries want to come here end up with the same problems. You would think that living in a country with the ease we’ve become accustomed to with our modern devices, we would also be free of all these problems as well.

Several years ago I heard a story about a woman who had a pet squirrel. She loved her pet squirrel and loved to play with it and try to teach him tricks. She had been feeding her squirrel pecans and she felt sorry for him having to work so hard biting through the shells to get his food. So she decided to help him out by shelling the pecans for him. After a short time the squirrel quit eating so she took him to the vet. The vet explained what had happened. He told her that the squirrel needed to chew through the shells himself because if he didn’t his teeth would grow too big and the squirrel couldn’t eat and would eventually die.

In actuality this is what has caused most of our problems. Life has been too easy for us and gives us way too much time to worry and think. So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34 Americans have become stagnate because we don’t have many real adversities in our life. I’m not saying we don’t have some real adversities, but I know that many of our troubles are, having a flat, getting a ticket, running out of milk, losing a job or the garage door opener is on the fritz. Since we don’t have real adversities in our life we invent them. I know I’ve been guilty of this. Maybe our focus is all wrong. Many people have real adversities but are totally unaware of them.

Some of you may have actually been through situations such as, not having nothing to eat, losing a child to death, house burning down, struggling for months to survive, (I mean actually staying alive) or been persecuted for your faith and beliefs. I know a lot of my struggles are menial in comparison to others.

So what is the cure? Let’s say someone takes you and your family out to a secluded area where you are at least 200 miles to the closets town. They leave you there with nothing but a hunting knife and the clothes on your back and say, “I hope you make it.” There will be no one looking after you. You do not have a guide. This is not a television program where someone will come to your rescue if things really get bad. You are alone. It’s do or die!

Now all of those catastrophes you had previously now pale in comparison. You no longer have to worry about your teenagers spending too much time on their cell phone because there is no service out here. If you had trouble watching too much TV or spending time on the internet is definitely not a problem any longer. Worrying if you are going to get that new job or promotion hasn’t even been giving a thought. That cute girl or guy that has caught your attentions at work hasn’t even crossed your mind. You don’t even have time to wonder if you have fallen out of love with your spouse. Money isn’t even an issue because even if you had it, there would be nothing to purchase. Survival has become the issue now. Food, water and civilization are now your focus not to mention being careful to prevent accidents because there are no hospitals or doctors. Oh yea, be sure to watch out for wild animals and snakes. You might make a good snack for a grizzly bear or pack or wolves. I know this isn’t feasible for anyone, but I do think it would improve family relationships. Who knows, we all may be faced with this in the future.

So what’s the point here? We all need to change our focus to things that really matter. We focus on so much garbage and baggage it begins to crush us. It would help us to realize that each day could be our last or it could be the last day with our spouse, child or a friend. If we knew that today was going to be the last day with someone special and we would never see them again on this planet, how would it change our thoughts and behavior? Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Philippians 4:8-9