I had my annual Medicare physical recently combined with my regular diabetic check-up. I got my lab work done ahead of time so we could discuss the results. As with all doctor visits, especially as I age and battle a couple auto-immune diseases, there can be good news and not-so-good news. That was the case this time.
I have been a diabetic type 2 since 1998. I have kept my diabetes under control most of that time. My labs show that I am right where I should be (good news) and that my kidneys are normal (that is great news). All in all, I am in pretty good shape for the shape I am in.
Only one bit of not-so-good news, my feet are “buzzing inside,” which means I am developing some peripheral neuropathy. My doctor gave me the option of treating the symptoms with medication, since at present medicine has not found a way to fix the underlying condition. I declined since it is just an annoyance now and I do not want another medication.
Too often in life, we opt to fix the symptoms instead of diving into the underlying cause. That may work with our physical condition, but it certainly does not with our spiritual one.
When it comes to our hearts, we need to get to the heart of the matter and not just opt to treat the symptoms of our spiritual ill health. We need to recognize we need God to create in us a new heart (since we cannot do that ourselves. Thankfully, He has made the way through His Son’s sacrifice on the cross. And He has given us the most precious promise …
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” [Ezekiel 36:26 HCSB]
