Over the years I have learned, metaphorically speaking, we cannot put a band aid over a stab wound and expect it to heal properly.

Anytime I am sick enough where it requires a visit to the doctor, I feel it is best to take the minimal amount of medicine before I go, because medicine can be a temporary fix for an underlining condition. Therefore, I prefer to go with all the symptoms in tack in order to receive the proper treatment.

Some equate the church to a hospital, being that they are each a place for healing; one natural the other spiritual. With that being said, when we are naturally sick, most of us don’t hesitate to seek a doctor for help. But often when someone is invited to church, they might use certain excuses before accepting the invite. “Let me stop smoking first; let me stop drinking first; let me stop doing this or that first, and then I will come; I have a lot of stuff going on”. In other words, “I need to get myself together before I come”, thus trying to cover up what really needs to be healed, the soul.

We can go through life covering up “stuff”. It can be our stuff or someone else’s stuff; without facing it head on. Therefore, it becomes overwhelming or out of control because we do not take the proper steps for healing or resolution. We then find ways to cope with the stuff and it usually results in unhealthy behavior; spiritually and or naturally. We may find ourselves running to other sources outside of the situation for reprieve or an escape.

The ungodly might turn to alcohol, drugs or promiscuity. While the Godly might turn to excessive eating, impulsive shopping, or displaying emotionally erratic behavior.

We may walk around with a smile on our faces and the words “I’m fine” becomes our go to answer. In the meantime, our thoughts are tormenting us, and our hearts become heavy because we have been unable to release the pain. There might be times when we have felt alone; deserted. We might have even felt no one would understand.

Please know we are not alone. There is a God who is Omnipresent. He’s in the heaven of heavens and He’s with us at the same time; He is ever present. The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him. In Psalm 139:7-10 we read, Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

He knows our pain, our thoughts, our hearts, our needs, and our desires. He is a healer of the body and the sin sick soul. He is with us in the valley and through the storm. Therefore, we must take our issues, our “stuff” to God. There is no solace in the things of this world. The things of this world are only temporal, a band aid.

The word of God in Isaiah 43:2 tells us, When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Give it to God and leave it with Him. Give God your stuff.