LITTLE SINS . . . BIG PROBLEMS

Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. Jeremiah 5:35

I don’t like talking about how I feel. Maybe it’s because I don’t like that much attention. Maybe it’s a pride thing. Be that as it may, I’m admitting I’ve had a really rough winter. One infection after another. Five rounds of antibiotics for several different strains of infections. And I still felt . . . not good.

My energy level has been at an all-time low. First one symptom and then another. I’ve barely been keeping up here in the preacher’s house, and just getting by with the basics for our survival. Meal prep, dishes and kitchen counter wipe-down. Laundry and folding, ironing my preacher’s shirts on an as-needed basis only. Main floor upkeep. Not much more.

I wasn’t getting better. Perhaps a bit worse as the weeks progressed. A general feeling of malaise had sunk into my core. My thoughts were a bit panicky as I considered how in the world I was going to keep up, especially as a caregiver. I couldn’t really put my finger on any major symptom in-between all the infections. I had just felt lousy since before Christmas, especially in the new year.

You get the idea. Puzzling.

And then I had an appointment with an oral surgeon. My personal dentist hadn’t liked the look of a back molar for quite some time. But, bless her, she was trying to save it. My mouth is teensy-tiny so I don’t have room for many teeth to start with. She knew I didn’t want any more extractions. The tooth had long ago had a root canal and crown, so other than some inflammation in the surrounding gums, it hadn’t bothered me. But at my January dental appointment, she decided it needed to be taken out.

The day to say goodbye arrived last week. Early April had been the earliest possible date available. Interestingly, I did receive a text in early February. They’d had a cancellation. If I could get to their office in 2 hours, they could do the procedure immediately. But I was on an antibiotic at the time and didn’t think I could handle it that day. So I waited.

I knew some recovery time would be needed. Diet would change a bit temporarily. The procedure wasn’t going to help how I’d been feeling one bit. I’d probably feel worse.

I thought.

When Dr. J got his tools into my mouth, he had a sneaking suspicion my tooth issue was more complicated than originally diagnosed. And he was right. Underneath that old crown, my tooth was broken. And abscessed!

Infected!

The doctor worked to get all of the tooth and infection cleared out and sent me home with an ice pack.

The next day, I didn’t feel worse like I expected. I actually felt as if I had some bit of energy. And the next day, more.

Apparently, the infection in my one little tooth had been affecting (literally infecting) my whole body! The surgeon said it even explained the horrid taste I’d had in my mouth for months. (I’d credited that symptom to all the antibiotics.)

Since the experience, I’ve done not a little research. A tooth infection can kill a person! It can damage the brain, the heart, the kidneys, and more. I knew dental health was important. More than for just a pretty smile and good breath. I have a daughter-in-law who works in a dentist’s office who’s instructed me on that. But I had no idea one little tooth could make the entire body feel so rotten.

I know now!

Our bodies run on a delicate balance. We are not a bunch of disconnected chemicals and organs wrapped up in a big roll of skin. Quite the contrary. Our systems depend on one other. Each needs to be running exactly right for all to perform at maximum efficiency.

I’d had none of the common symptoms of tooth infection. No pain. No fever. No clue. But the rest of my body had been screaming with infections. One after another.

AND, if I’d taken that cancellation appointment opportunity, I’d have been feeling better five weeks earlier. But who knew? Not me.

I’m also seeing a perfect parallel to the “little sins” I allow to go unchecked in my spiritual health.

For some reason, we tend to erroneously categorize sin into big sins and little sins. But there are no “little sins.”

Even if I don’t recognize the symptoms and ramifications in my heart, I now understand the damage any sin can do to my relationship with God and to my testimony. The effect can spread unbeknownst to me to every other area of my life. A sin infection can have a devastating effect, and negatively, exponentially, affect my fellowship, peace, and effectiveness.

 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Galatians 5:9

Sin needs to be extracted at the earliest possible “appointment” with God. As in, immediately. Right when I recognize it as sin. Not waiting five more weeks and allowing more damage to be done.

I’m going to take a huge leap here and discuss the recent eclipse. (Trust me – it will all fit rather amazingly together in the end.)

Have you seen diagrams of the sun, moon, and earth? The earth and the moon are absolutely minuscule compared to the enormity of the sun. But when the much smaller moon comes between the earth and sun, it has the potential, as it did here in Indy, to completely block out the sun’s light and warmth. We experienced the totality of the eclipse here. And right in the middle of that almost four minutes of darkness, I was struck with the effect sin can have on my total spiritual wellbeing. It was a graphic and rather stupefying lesson. Not at all what I’d expected to “feel” during the event.

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Psalm 66:18

One little moon can completely negate the pleasant effects of the ginormous sun! Likewise, one small tooth can block out my general health. And one “little” sin can radically influence my spiritual health.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

The little things can get us down. Way way down!

The good news is this:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9

All unrighteousness. When the doctor was working in my mouth, I didn’t ask him to leave a little bit of infection in there as a keepsake. Quite the opposite. When he was finished, I asked him, “Did you get it all out?”

Likewise, all sin needs to be eliminated from my life. A spiritual extraction takes place when I confess my sin and ask God’s forgiveness. And when I’ve done that, then I need to take another moment and ask the Lord, “Did you get it all? Is there anything else that needs to be made right, Lord?”

I will never experience the full, warm, glorious blessing of Christ in my life until I’m completely right with Him. It only takes one sin to keep His total goodness from shining on me. All sin is dangerous. Jesus died to save me from my sin. Once I’m saved, He continues to do all He can to extend mercy to me. To bless me. But I must stay right with Him to fully experience it.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13

May I suggest you learn from my experience? Don’t let it take an infection to convince you of the danger of decay. Especially spiritual rottenness.

As the result of one bad tooth and the effect of one small moon, I’m purposing to deal with all my sin as big. As serious. I want no spot of decay. No eclipse. I want God’s face to shine fully on me! Physical health remains important, but spiritual health completely trumps all else.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 2

Lord, thank you for freeing me from the penalty of my sin. Please keep me aware of the horrible damage the seemingly little things can do in my life. I want to be totally right with You! Amen