2 Kings 5 vs. 10 (NIV)
Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be cleansed.”
Naaman was a great man, a valiant commander, well respected in his circle, yet he suffered from a disease called leprosy. This disease is what took him to the door of Elisha whom simple sent a messenger out to tell him to go and dip in the Jordan river seven times and there he would find his cure from such a dreaded disease.
While you and I have the benefit of reading the story and knowing his end, he was cured, how often do we take the same position as Naaman, and delay a long sought after cure. Today I would like to address three things that usually get in the way when we need to make decisions about our approach to our health.
- Pride….Naaman was bothered that the prophet did not give him the respect of coming out and making a big deal over his visit, making vast formalities with great pomp and circumstance. Most effective cures don’t come with much flare, but with humbling simplicity.
- Ignorance…Naaman was angry that he was asked to dip in the Jordan River when he knew of much cleaner and more pristine rivers in his homeland. Sometimes we reject information because we are not familiar with it. Have you ever met people who come to you seeking an answer, because they don’t have the answer yet they are quick to tell you that the solution you have given will not work?
- Follow through… Naaman had to dip seven times in the Jordan river and was cured of his disease. I am sure each time he lowered himself into the river; he thought he would come up clean. If he had come up clean on the first time he probably would have forgone the rest of the instructions, but Naaman had to stick with it and finish it out until the end, and it was then that he saw the desired results. You can not receive optimum results with procrastination and a lack of dedication.
Do you want to feel better? Is there something you desire to achieve, but day after day, year after year it escapes you. Is the only person in your way of accomplishing something, staring back at you in the mirror? May you have the courage to get out of your way and embrace all the good things that are waiting for you on the other side of your accomplishments.
