Walking the path of righteousness

Nowadays, there are three words that command our attention without hesitation: public health risks. No, it’s not: “you have cancer” or “need more tests,” these phrases are usually shared in one-on-one interactions with our doctor and we typically have a respectful physical and mental space to absorb this information. However, as the words imply, public health risk (PHR) is shared and discussed publicly and if we are not personally experiencing the PHR, we are trying to figure out what is our risk of getting it, who do we know that has it, how can we isolate or protect ourselves/family/loved ones from it. Conversely, if you have or are intimately dealing with the PHR, you are probably feeling insecure wondering who knows about me having the disease/disorder/issue, how will this impact my relationship with other people, how can I mask or coverup my problem so I can avoid being isolated/ostracized/ignored because of my battle with this issue. The latest PHR is prescription drug opioid addiction and it is a horrible scourge that is creating an upheaval at macro and micro levels of society and has impacted the nooks and crannies of our social institutions and infrastructures. How do we handle this? Unlike other PHRs it’s not spread through bodily contact, symptoms and outward signs are not easy to identify, yet everyone and I mean everyone us are susceptible and vulnerable to direct or indirect influence of the PHR. Unlike an illness, we cannot isolate ourselves from this epidemic. What’s the solution to addressing this problem? A few thoughts for the faithful: Unlike the world, God expects Christians to respond differently to those suffering from physical, mental, or spiritual PHRs by, primarily, treating the suffering with compassion rather than complaining or accusations: John 16:33 states, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” We are to be examples and expressions of Godly peace not piling on with blame and persecution. No one is waking up in the morning with a desire to experience opioid addiction. For most people, they received a legitimate prescription from a licensed physician to address real and significant physical pain. Christians need to adopt the mindset of first responders who run towards rather than away from danger. Equipped with God’s power, wisdom, and guidance, we can offer hope and comfort. When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we signed up to be God’s hands and feet. Amen! We are reminded in Romans 12:11-12, “Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” And, in James 1:2-4 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” Praise God, He has not abandoned us in our time of need nor should we ignore, blame, or castigate others in their time(s) of need. Amen.

#lifesjourney #righteousness