I remember my recovery from a severe sinus infection. We had some pretty wonky weather and that triggered my sinuses. A couple of days after returning home from a weekend trip to Michigan, I noticed that I was congested with swollen glands and a sore throat.
There was lots of sinus pressure, a lot of painful sneezes, and itchy eyes. All of these are telltale signs of what I know to be, for me, a sinus infection. Simple diagnosis, right?
Wrong.
Team, the CDC had me up here freaking out because apparently, all of my symptoms pointed straight to COVID. My headache had me terrified. My congestion had me sipping and sniffing juice every other second just to be sure I could still taste and smell. I was tired from my weekend travels, but there was no way you could convince me that it wasn’t omicron or delta fatigue setting in.
After a day or two in panic mode, I’m sure the Lord was tired of my foolery because He said to me, “Are you done yet?” It was then that I snapped out of it and called my doctor to prescribe me an antibiotic.
See? This is what happens when I let outside factors affect what I already know about my condition. I allowed what I saw and heard to convince me that I was dealing with something that I, indeed, was not. It was worse than Googling symptoms – you’ve done it, too, right?!
They Said What? But What Did God Say About You?
My point is a simple one: “Stop letting people talk you into what you know is not true about yourself.” Whew. Because, Lord knows, I’ve let some folks speak stuff over me that I definitely did not get from the main line.
The power of influence is amazing, but when used the wrong way, it can destroy lives and destinies. We’ve got to get to the place where the knowledge of God means more to us than the opinions of man. Because sometimes, we feed into those opinions out of spite and in efforts to “give the people what they want”.
I know I’m not alone, so I’ll keep talking (you don’t have to raise your hand in agreement lol).
Too often, we base our opinions of our own selves on what others tell us and not enough on the things that God will have to give us sufficient strength to overcome. Let’s be honest here, some things are just easier to self-diagnose or take the advice of others than to bear what God says to us. Why? Well, because they don’t require much spiritual accountability.
How often have you or someone you’ve met claimed, “that’s just how I am” when confronted about their attitude or character. Sadly, this may come from years of trauma, mistreatment, and not wanting to put in the energy and effort to deal with people who have caused hurt or offense. I’ve been there and have let other people tell folk “that’s just the way she is”.
The thing is that’s not how God created me to be, and I cannot stand before Him and use that as an excuse as to why I did not heed His word. Our Playbook says in Luke 6:27-28, “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
So, What’s the Play Call?
I know sometimes it just seems easier to accept what people “say you have”. I encourage you to go with what God said about you and your situation. Here are a few things to consider when your “diagnosis” does not align with that of the Great Physician:
- Even medical doctors “practice” medicine. I say that to say, nobody knows you or how to heal you better than God. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Psalms 118:8
- Do not self-medicate. With the severity of my sinus infection, the over-the-counter meds that I would have taken would not have helped. I had to seek a professional for something stronger. In your case, look to God to give you just the antidote you need. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thin own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
- Grudges keep you sick. Now, everyone isn’t suffering from this ailment, but in case you are, know that you cannot be healed and whole if you are walking around mad at people who may or may not know they’ve hurt you. Oh, and stop letting others convince you that it is okay to stay mad. Let that go to save your own life. “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25
- Just because it’s going around, doesn’t mean you caught it. Stuff is contagious out here in these streets, and I’m not just talking medically. Covid is out here in these streets, but that does not mean that you have it. Sometimes others will diagnose you with what they have based off of a similar symptom. This is why it is important to go to God for a prescription plan that is unique to you. “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.” Jeremiah 17:14
The moral of my story is, be careful what you believe about yourself. Don’t be so quick to claim every “sickness” that’s going around. It’s easy to misdiagnose. Take your cues from the One who can heal, no matter what the issue is.
THIRTEEN LIVES recounts the incredible true story of the tremendous global effort to rescue a Thai soccer team who become trapped in the Tham Luang cave network during an unexpected rainstorm. Faced with insurmountable odds, a team of the world’s most skilled and experienced divers — uniquely able to navigate the maze of flooded, narrow cave tunnels — join with Thai forces and more than 10,000 volunteers to attempt a harrowing rescue of the twelve boys and their coach. With impossibly high stakes and the entire world watching, the group embarks on their most challenging dive yet, showcasing the limitlessness of the human spirit in the process.
Many times when we hear the word “idol” we think about people or tangible things in our lives. Perhaps we’re intentionally or unintentionally “bowing” to the fame, power, or influence of another person. Or, maybe we’ve amassed wealth and fortune like the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:21) and our “stuff” has a grip on our focus and reverence.
What issue(s) do your family and friends know YOU for?
I had a part-time job, along with my full time. I’d worked there for a little over two years when the pandemic began. Like most jobs, my hours were cut and with it already being part-time, you can imagine what it looked like at that point. I stayed until the beginning of this year and decided that I couldn’t make it work. It was costing me more to go to work than I was actually making and I was getting used to working solely from home. 
The Stellar TV launch will be hosted by Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, the nation’s largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization. Marc Morial is also a leading advocate for the growth of Black-owned television networks and a leading voice on the national stage in the battle for jobs, education, housing, and voting rights equity. The formal announcement will take place on July 15, during an invitation-only press announcement event during the Stellar Gospel Music Awards weekend of taping in Atlanta, Georgia.
