Self-Medication

“…thou hast no healing medicines.” (Jeremiah 30:13b)

We all like to think we know what is best for us when it comes to good health, and sometimes we’re right. But, on the other hand, all of us know what it is to play the dual role of doctor/pharmacist right up to the time we finally drag ourselves either into a real doctor’s office or the ER. The trick is to know if or when we are out of our depth, missing both the diagnosis and the remedy. I’m not just talking about physical health here. We can become emotionally unwell and spend countless hours waning away spiritually, all the while applying substitute “home” remedies for tried and proven cures.

For instance, you can bolster your self-confidence or deaden your emotional pain with pills and alcohol temporarily, or you can find the perpetual poise of the man or woman who recognizes his or her righteous standing before God, through faith in Jesus Christ; or allow the Comforter, the sweet Holy Spirit to soothe you aching heart and relieve your troubled mind.

Not only that, if amusement is your only remedy for boredom, try getting into the Word of God and exploring one of its eternal truths that will keep you thinking long after you’ve closed the Book. Or spend time with some of God’s full and overflowing saints, just waiting for someone to share their joy. After that, the amusements of the world, even the wholesome ones, will seem like cheap thrills.

And rather than finding your comfort in “comfort foods,” why not look to the One of whom the Psalmist said, “…he satisfieth the longing soul and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” (Psl.107:9); because I think it’s obvious, the food we consume after our physical hunger has been appeased is trying to fill some other need in our lives. And it’s never enough.

If you are one who is trying to self-medicate your emotional anguish with things like pills, alcohol, amusements, or comfort food, you should know that these are medicines that will not heal. They may dull the pain for awhile, but it will always come back. What you need is a physician who makes house calls, day or night. God has said of himself, “I am the LORD that healeth thee” (Exo.15:26). Make sure He is your “primary care giver.”