Friday, September 30, 2011

Too Much!

I am thankful for modern medicine. Having a camera stuck down your airways without some sedation would be well,....not a pretty picture.
Apparently though, I am not cut out for the red carpet, and didn't want to cooperate with this photo shoot.
Because of that, they had to give me ALOT of sedation.
Sedation for invasive procedures like this bronchoscopy and biopsy- a good thing. 
But too much of that good thing resulted in me losing a day to a horribly pounding headache, nausea and the result of nausea. (I’ll spare you the details.)
The Bible addresses this concept of too much of a good thing becoming a bad thing.
Prov. 25:16 says:
“Have you found honey?
Eat only as much as you need,
Lest you be filled with it and vomit.” ( I know. Graphic, right?)
Now, most of us probably won’t go and pig out on honey to excess. 
I think the term “honey” here is an analogy of the “sweet” things  that God has so graciously provided for us.
Substitute the word “honey” with money, things or even relationships and the principle applies:
Taking more than the prescribed amount of something good, takes away it’s goodness.
Enjoyment then becomes engorgement, and we become spiritually nauseous. 
Timothy gives us some insight into how to manage the gifts God has given us.
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” 
1 Timothy 6:17
The way to keep from having a spiritual stomachache is to trust in the Living God.
Things will break, get lost or decay. You will have more money at some times than others. Relationships ebb and flow, and we can’t control another person’s life or response to us.
This morning after a day and night of “post too much sedation”, I got up around 5:00 a.m. and stumbled to the couch that looks out into our backyard. I just sat there in silence for a little over an hour and watched as the darkness became light.
Two things came to mind as I sat there: 
1.The things of God are constant. The sun He placed in the sky rises and sets every day. He and His ways will never change or fade away. He is faithful through the darkness and the light. He is there. We can trust Him. 
2. “But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. Prov. 4:18 
He’s promised that as you and I walk with Him, things will not get darker and darker for us. Rather, as we trust in Him, our path will get brighter and brighter because The Light of the World is leading us into a deeper knowledge of Himself.
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor 4:6
So picture this! God is the “Too Much” that you can never have enough of! 
Today may you take freely of His limitless love.
And be filled with the fullness of His grace.
Indulge!
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints 
what is the width and length and depth and height— 
to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; 
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Eph. 3:14-21

**A kind of last minute change had them just perform the one procedure this time. I am grateful for God's intervention as I don't think I could have handled both!  He is so good to answer according to His will. Praying I don't have to have the other one next week and they have all they need to test and diagnose.
Your prayers are such an encouragement. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!



4 comments:

  1. As I set sail on my own journey of medical discovery, I want to thank you for setting such a strong example of how to walk in faith! jj

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  2. Lisa, I remember very well the need to pull out the tube and how they held my hands until they were ready and had all they needed. I don't think I had enough sedation, but have learned I can't have enough of the Lord as we've marched together down this road. Praying for you and others like us.To God be the glory!

    Cherrie Huseby

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  3. Lisa, You are such a trooper! I've had that test done at least twice, maybe thrice! It is not fun. I am trusting our faithful God to carry you through this trial, as He has many others. "For all things are for you sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." II Corinthians 5:15-18. Keep your eyes on the eternal God behind that rising sun! Love and Blessing to you in this day. Cathy T.

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  4. Lisa, I don' t know you well, but I can see through your writing you have a good sense of humor! So, I am prompted to tell you, you should have warned the doctors, you are a princess warrior!!!!! Princess warriors may become combative, when trying to be subdued! "SMILE". Working with medical staff, I have been told, I become a different person when being sedated!

    Praising the Lord, that you are feeling better & continuing in "praying always". Love ya! JoAnn

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