DO NOT HIDE THE SICKNESS

As children, we hated the hospital. Personally, I hated the sight of needles and medicine. Once I sighted the medicine, there were times I would vomit. It nauseated me. But my elder sister had an interesting way of hiding her sickness- she covers with up with excitement. She becomes very active. She wants to take on tasks that she has not been assigned while dodging personal contact with Mummy. 

But Mummy would always know- the moment she sees her hyperactive and trying to engage in activities with extra vigour, mum calls her to come. She would always try to run but when mum touches her body, she is most times running temperature. The fear of the hospital makes her do all she can to cover up what was (h)eating her up. You need to see her plead when it is time for the clinic. 

First, let us begin with a question: What are you using to cover up your limitations? What are you using to cover up your struggles? What covers and alibis have you mastered so that the real issues will not be detected? 

I have met people that the pain of depression is eating up but still cover-up with a large canopy of energetic happiness until someone puts a pin in their inflate baloon with a simple heartfelt question of “How are You?” Then, you see them break down in tears. Something had been eating them up all the while. 

There are also people in churches who have used activity to cover up their challenges. They are high on adrenaline but at their lowest when it comes to spiritual strength and discipline. They keep caving in to the temptations again and again. They cover up with ‘bribing God’. 

Do you know King David was a master at the cover-up game? He was really a master at it. After committing the twin acts of adultery and murder, he deployed a grand scheme to cover up his guilt and shame. He began to bribe God with burnt offerings and sacrifices. 

“You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.”

Psalms 51:16 NLT

He eventually discovered that what God needed was a submitted heart. 

“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”

Psalms 51:17 NLT

Stop wearing a robe for your sins and struggles. Stop making up for your tendencies and temptations. Do not let it eat you up when help is right at the door. Hear your Lord knocking at the door of your heart: 

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Revelation 3:20 NKJV

Will you open up today? 

© temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa