Allergic Reactions...

Last year at a specialty crepe restaurant in Philadelphia we found out our oldest child is quite allergic to Buckwheat. One bite of his first Buckwheat crepe caused us much concern as his tongue and throat became so itchy he could barely sit still. Then came the chest pains, the rash around his mouth, severe nausea and hives you would not believe. We now have a tanker of epinephrine and a truck load of Benadryl that follow us everywhere like that “network” you see on the cell phone commercials. Needless to say, allergic reactions have been in the forefront of my brain since then. So much so that I felt the need to identify a few of my own afflictions, their symptoms and my self-prescribed cures. I urge you to search out yours as well. Allergy #1: BAD ATTITUDES Symptoms: When coming in contact with said attitude a mild rash-like aversion may occur and will spread almost immediately. The “rash” begins to spread and before too long, it is an all-consuming power that overtakes one’s day. Soon even the most trivial of events or happenings brings one to a new height of frustration. If not treated, one’s attitude could be shot for the rest of the week. This allergy is quite dangerous to one’s well-being and those well-beings around them. Prescription: A long chat with a positive influence in one’s life. A good, uplifting book/article – preferably a spiritual one. A bare-it-all prayer with the Man upstairs. Allergy #2: CATTINESS Symptoms: Feelings of superiority and judgmental behaviors come on quickly. These feelings can escalate quite rapidly to the point of nose-held-high-in-the-air-itis. Like any addiction, this sense of entitlement can become quite habit-forming. For the most part these feelings erupt when one’s self-esteem is at its lowest. Dangerous levels of self-praise actions and impulses can spike at any time. Prescription: A long look I the mirror and a quiet afternoon with a pen and a journal. Self-searching to the point of brokenness and a huge box of tissues. And, of course, a bare-it-all prayer to the Man upstairs. Allergy #3: FEAR Symptoms:

Severe sensations of lack of control (LOC). The need to hold onto a person or a habit that only appears to be solid as one’s world forms a downward spiral. A tragic craving for something unidentifiable to hold it all together and the search to find it. Feelings of doubt, disconnect and paranoia may subside but the initial LOC sensations will remain. Prescription: The admission that something bigger is ultimately in control and the surrender of that control. A change of focus to all that is good, healthy and clean. The acceptance of one’s short-comings and the resolve to make a change for the better. And, once again, a bare-it-all prayer to the Man upstairs. The diagnosis: Your allergies may react to different triggers. Your symptoms may be more or less severe. But one thing remains the same…a prescription can only be determined by the person suffering the affliction. You can only hide under the covers for so long. It’s a brand new morning and the perfect time to stand at the mirror, look yourself right in the face and resolve to live your life to the fullest. Align your life with God’s Truth we find in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Swallow a bottle of self-esteem. Take a few teaspoons of healthy pride. Rub some new focus into your sores and watch your life start anew. Of course, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t also prescribe a boatload of love…take two and call me in the morning.