I should have anticipated what I was going to go through. The warnings signs were there – lack of sleep (flying does that to me at times) and stress. I do not think I have it worse than anyone else, but my body by way of chronic sinusitis likes to remind me that I am oh so very human. The first warning flags were three cold-sweat incidents in the afternoon when I least expected them. I took it to be a reaction of being back in the tropics but in hindsight, I was not paying attention to what my body was trying to tell me.
As the evening progressed, I knew I was in trouble. Sinusitis, flu, and cold symptoms all hit in a near perfect storm. It was as if my body was hammering me from within and without! There was no doubt that I was in trouble. I knew retreating was the only option. Vitamins, routine herbal supplements, plenty of water, and rest were all part of the solution. Trusting that Divinity would use my body to heal me was the other. I just needed to give my body time to heal. Everything screamed for endurance.
Even as I write, I know there are others that are suffering far more severe pains than what I was going through. I know many face incredible obstacles along with overwhelming attacks. My life is, relatively speaking, not that bad. The challenge for me was that all the head knowledge in the world was not going to get me the time I needed. I needed to endure so that Divinity and my physical body could go into action.
Looking back at the dark night, I know that God and my body have been at work. There is still much to do. I need to be careful, hydrating well, eating properly, and getting plenty of rest. I also know that in the darkness I rediscovered the reality that “God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times.” (Psalm 9.9)
The house is open, in good times and bad.
