Antibiotics - Thur 29 March 07

As I write this I’ve just finished a course of antibiotics. About ten days ago my throat went really dry and gradually became enflamed and very sore. The glands in my neck swelled up and then a head cold set in. Not life-threatening but very inconvenient and uncomfortable. A few days later my throat had eased but I began to notice the classic signs of a sinus infection. Having suffered from this before I knew that it wouldn’t go away by itself. I duly went to the doctor who prescribed a course of penicillin.

A useful definition of an antibiotic is this: a substance that can destroy or neutralise harmful bacteria. Antibiotics are usually given as a 5-7 day course that should be completed. The benefit is normally felt late in the course or after it’s finished.

Our bodies are surrounded by all kinds of bacteria, some harmful, others benign. It’s often the case that we’re most vulnerable to infection when we’ve overstretched ourselves and are “running on low”; when our defence system is weakened.

There’s surely a parallel here with our spiritual body, whether we’re talking about ourselves as individuals or the church family. We know that the devil’s objective is to weaken and destroy the church by all means at his disposal. From time to time we’ve all felt vulnerable, run-down and under assault. What then are God’s antibiotics to pull us round at such times? A few suggestions:

- Rest. Clear the diary. Take time out.
- Fast and pray.
- Meditate on God’s word. Ask the Holy Spirit to feed you, to nourish you. Ask the Holy Spirit to make Jesus real again.
- Declare God’s truth.
- Be thankful for all the circumstances you’re in.
- Ask the church to support you in prayer.