Tip of My Iceberg

I have what is known as the “white coat syndrome”, a marked elevation of blood pressure when needing to visit a doctor. I have normally low blood pressure–I most likely won’t get a heart attack.

My reality becomes secondary when I have a doctor’s appointment.

So I avoid them. At all costs. Often to my own detriment. I put off getting necessary check-ups for teeth, body parts at risk, things I think are behaving just fine at the moment. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?

Living with someone who is aware of my issues–my husband–can put me in the realm of the unavoidable.

Recently I came down with my one major cold of the year. Like clockwork, I typically get one really bad head cold close to Christmas. Chalk it up to the change in the weather (yes, it does get cold in Florida) or just my body messing with my mind, but I began feeling poorly days ago. John had enough of me hiding under tons of blankets and sneezing and sniffing constantly.

“You need to get that checked out. You sound awful.”

“I’m fine.”

John won, and he drove me to the miniER because I was in no shape to drive. Because of the issues with COVID and it being flu season, they tested me for both.

Thankfully, I had neither COVID nor the flu. But I did have acute sinusitis, for which they prescribed antibiotics to kick the thing to the curb. John was insistent that I stay home and get rest. Not my idea of what I saw as necessary. I had things to do, places to go, people to see.

I don’t know what I’m thinking. I don’t have any medical expertise apart from treating the typical childhood cuts and scrapes. I often ignore what I don’t want to see or acknowledge because of the inconvenience it causes me. My decisions are made less from a standpoint of wisdom than a perspective of what I want and how I want it.

It’s easy to act like we know something we’ve heard a little about or have derived an opinion from social media. Making our voices heard is something many want.

What we often fail to consider is the wisdom behind what we’re saying; is there any there?

God is all-wise and the Giver of real wisdom.

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17

The wisdom that comes from knowing God personally is what we need to make the tough choices in life. This world is dark and confusing; conflict and divisiveness rear their ugly heads and demand center stage. God’s wisdom is light and hope, and it’s found in a relationship with Jesus.

I may not like going to doctors because I don’t want to acknowledge what they’ll tell me. Not a smart move.

Not heeding what God says, the truth and wisdom He shares, is not a risk I’m willing to take.

Are you?