Articles and Poetry by Our Members
| Ibuprofen Christianity |
| Author: Nathan Hylton Entered on: 3/30/2006 |
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| I’ve never struggled with what to do when I have bodily aches and pains – take two ibuprofen and watch an episode of “The Andy Griffith Show.” Popping two ibuprofen does not take much discipline. It simply requires the ability to figure out a childproof cap, a desire to feel better, and the small amount of sense it takes to act accordingly. When I feel pain, I just try to take it away. But, nutrition – day in and day out health – now that’s a different matter. When I’m sick, my doctor urges me to drink plenty of water, get plenty of vitamins, etc…but, if we’re honest, this advice seems so irrelevant, doesn’t it? On the contrary, I have found that sleep, water, and vitamins actually contributed so much to my health that there have been, over time, far less occurrences of needing the ibuprofen. All of that to say this: the lesson I’ve learned over the years in regard to physical health is that I cannot simply be reactive to pain, but instead, must focus on being proactive towards health. Now consider this question: which more reflects your attitude towards spiritual health? Are you only reactive to pain and crisis, or are you proactive towards health and growth? I believe this is one of the most significant questions for a believer to ask. Am I striving towards the prize (Phil 3:12-14), or getting serious about my spiritual discipline only once I am in a time of depression and/or spiritual deadness? The picture the New Testament paints of a believer is of one striving, working, repenting, believing – locked arm in arm with fellow believers –pressing on as pilgrims in this world that we may attain to the resurrection from the dead (Phil 3:10; Hebr 3:12, 10:24). Passivity is not an option. I cannot be concerned about my spiritual health only when I “feel bad” – striving to follow Christ must be an everyday discipline. So, what do we do if we have not been striving for spiritual growth and find ourselves spiritually depressed and passionless? Although Bible study and prayer are at the heart of spiritual growth and health, “read your Bible” and “pray to Jesus” are not sufficient counsel for the person who wants to “get back on track” – this is a tough hole to climb out of. That is, if I’m going to start being proactive rather than just clinging to God when times get tough, what are the first steps? 1. Begin by admitting your own inability to God and ask for your joy to be restored (Ps 51:10-12). Consider the following statement made by Charles Spurgeon, who often struggled with spiritual depression: “The iron bolt which so mysteriously fastens the door of hope and holds our spirits in gloomy prison, needs a heavenly hand to push it back.” (Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, p. 163.) 2. Focus on Scripture meditation and memory (not the amount of chapters read!) and let this meditation and memory guide your prayers. Are you a pipe or a tree? A friend shared this analogy with me years back. That is, water simply goes through a pipe, but it gets soaked up by a tree, causing growth. Simply reading Scripture so we can mark it off our list doesn’t impress God and doesn’t help us. Using Scripture to guide one’s prayer was one of George Mueller’s keys for spiritual growth (George Mueller, A Narrative of Some of the Lord’s Dealings with George Mueller, Vol 1: 272-273). A great method (that I personally use) for memorization is clearly laid out by Dr. Andrew Davis on his church’s web site (http://www.fbcdurham.org/writings/Scripmem.htm). 3. Enjoy creation's declaration of the glory of God (Ps 19:1-4). This might sound unspiritual to some, but clearly the Bible disagrees. Clearly the heavens declare the glory of God. Nature alone is not sufficient to get a Christian ‘back on track’, but in my experience, it has been an immense help. 4. Repent of all known sin (Rom 6:11-14). As John Owen often said, “Kill sin, lest it kill you.” I am slowly (and stubbornly) learning that I must strive for physical health, not simply respond when sick. I hope we all learn the same lesson sooner than later in our striving after the prize in Christ. Some thoughts inspired by John Piper's work When I Don't Desire God. |
