They Make A Pill For That

They Make A Pill For That

Dr. Vince Hefner

I have discovered that when I am sick I will look for a cure from just about any source. I will go to a regular doctor, a specialist, a naturalist, and when all else fails, the internet. As the old saying goes, “Any port in a storm.” Unless your are a hypochondriac, you don’t think about being sick when you’re well, but when you are sick that is about all you think about. Since most of us have been sick, or know of someone who is or has been sick, we will diagnose each others aliments. I have been known to practice medicine when someone tells me about the symptoms of an illness. I don’t write prescriptions but I will tell them what I think is wrong with them, for free!

I have been battling a certain non-life threatening illness that has taken me to several doctors and a specialist on anti-aging. I have yet to see any real progress, and I have been told no cure exists for my aggravating condition. However I have read a list of factors that may trigger the illness. Listen to this: chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, hot coffee, hot baths, stress and anxiety, exercise, excessively warm environments, extremely cold places, hair sprays, or any substance that causes redness or stinging. What’s left? I guess I could sit in a dark room lit with candles and eat toast (no butter) and drink room temperature water while I listen to music that contains the sound of the ocean at low tide and squawking sea gulls in the distance.

A doctor told me it could take up to a couple of months for the medicine to take affect. What I need is a short cut! I spoke to an herbalist who diagnosed me with a parasite problem. I was sent to a special store, bought the bottle of pills with this promise on the label: “100% satisfaction guaranteed.” Folks, you can’t get much better than that! I was feeling good about taking these pills until I read another statement on the label, “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnosis, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” So much for that guarantee! Now I am really confused. If you can’t trust a person who wears a white jacket and wants to know how much your co-pay is, or a person who claims to be in touch with the “Electric Force” that invisibly surrounds your body, what is the world coming to? Of course I am jesting somewhat, but my humor is about all I have left that doesn’t make my condition worse.

One truth that we can believe in is that problems will come to us in our lifetime. No one is exempt from hardships, it makes no difference if you are young or old, rich or poor, troubles are a part of life. The question we must ask ourselves is who we are going to place our trust in when problems come. It is impossible to avoid this question, because you will ask yourself who or what you are trusting when the dark clouds roll into your life. It is also probable that someone will ask you what to do when hard times come upon them.

Since I have been a follower of Jesus, I search His Word for comfort and reassurance when I am facing doubt and fear. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” This is a promise that is 100% guaranteed for a believer in Christ, if you are willing to follow the directions. Maybe you are going through a “rough patch” in your life right now and this Scripture has been brought to you, courtesy of a man who is in a “rough patch” himself. Remember, don’t give in to sin. Think about it!