Lessons from the stye: Sometimes faith means saying “no.”

A stye, an infectious obnoxious little lump, has taken up residency in my eye. As you can see, it’s ugly. You probably can’t see how badly it hurts.

I tried to cover the red puffiness with eye makeup, which actually is quite effective. The only problem with this method is the cover-up prevents me from treating the problem (by inserting antibiotic cream-goop and placing warm compresses on my eye six times daily).

I have to choose between looking pretty on the outside and healing the inside. In this case I can’t do both, so I’ve gone without makeup this week.

If only I could treat healing of the heart the same way. It’s so easy to cover the wounds, the pain, the hurt, the soul infection. What would actually happen if I left them uncovered and did the work of treating the “root” of the problem? The pain often gets worse before it gets better. The infection has to keep swelling until it comes to a head before healing starts.

There are many ways in which I cover my heart-wounds. One primary way is busyness. If my life is filled with activity I will feel loved, useful, needed, important. If I’m busy, I won’t have to take the time to deal with the painful pangs my heart is feeling.

Will you do this? Will you do that?
Yes, yes, yes, I aim to please!

So much so that my days and evenings and weekends are filled. When I don’t take the time to attend to what’s going on inside (let my heart heal with rest and time with God) the inner-infection builds. My heart and soul start to die when I don’t do what makes me come alive (for me, being creative and enjoying God’s creation).

So I challenge myself to say “no” to some things (even “good” activities), which just fill up my time, but don’t fulfill God’s purpose for my life.
I challenge you to do the same. Feel what your heart is beating. Allow time and space in your life for healing. Pretending your wounds aren’t there wont make them go away. Do the work to heal the problem, rather than covering up the symptoms.
My eye is healing, my heart is feeling, and I’m believing God that sometimes faith means saying “no.”

Disclaimer: I reserve every right not to follow my own advice. After I decided I’m too busy, I said “yes” to a freelance editing job. In addition, I’m planning to start back with the Thursday-night writing group, get certified to teach yoga in October, and start massage therapy classes in January. I’m working 12 more days at Peterson Air Force Base. Oh did I mention I work full-time? And try to maintain friendships, attend a Bible study, and a small group. I like to sleep, eat, and exercise occasionally too.