Symptoms are not the Problem

July 11

Too often we look at the circumstances of our life and think that is the problem. The broken relationship is the problem. Someone hurt me is the problem. The mistake I just made is the problem. Those are not the problems, they are the symptoms. When you get a cold, some people think the problem is that I am coughing, sneezing, achy and have a fever. Those are the symptoms of the cold. The cold is the problem. Most of the cold medication on the market is taken to deal with the symptoms and not cure the cold. We tend to want a quick fix. We just want to feel better. We take a little cold medicine and we feel a little better. We are not so achy, our nose isn’t so runny and the cough has settled down. Win! Not really, we just masked the symptoms, the cold is still there. Your body needs to heal from the cold. Rest, fluids, supplements to support your immune system and your body can heal. If you don’t take care of the problem, it can turn dire. Sinus infections, pneumonia and other complications. Thankfully this doesn’t usually happen.

We need to take a closer look at what is really happening in our problems. Look past the symptoms to find the real problem. This is where asking God to search your heart really comes in handy. He already knows the problem and the solution. If you want the symptoms to go away and not come back we need to address the real problem.

God has shown me the real problem in my life is not the disappointment someone else causes, it is trying harder on someone else's problem than they are. When I do that, I put that person in a place in my life that only God should be. My problem is not the pain and discomfort the other person is causing, it is trying to take the place of God and lead them to healing and wholeness. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink. You can lead a person to the Father, but you can't make him yield. The only person I can make yield is me, and that is on a good day.