There are millions of microscopic organisms on the earth. Some we know and study and yet many more await to be discovered. In fact, within the human body, the intestinal tract houses millions of microscopic bacteria and other organisms. There was a television show titled “monsters inside me” which had some fascinating insight on organisms inside the body. I am not sure if the show still runs, but I remember watching an episode where an elderly gentleman laid on a hospital bed with a mysterious illness that doctors could not identify. At the end of the investigation, the illness was traced to parasitic worms which he had picked up a child. They had hidden in his body until he was much older and possibly weaker to infest his body causing serious complications.

As chilling as this might appear, I am reminded of this story when I consider my journey through life. We enter this world as innocent, sweet babies and somehow we are transformed by our society, our environment, our circumstances and by what we are exposed to. Many times, as we proceed through life,  we encounter certain things that leave deep impacts on our life and our perception. These dents remain as pock marks in our psyche, our soul and even our spirit. A rock exposed to the elements eventually develops cracks and dents due to the unrelenting wind, rain, sun and temperature.

As we walk through life, our perceptions of people and life itself is shaped by our exposure to the elements in our life. The remnants of this exposure sometimes remain hidden in us, waiting for a moment of weakness to show up, usually with unhealthy consequences. Symptoms of anger, fear, hate, deceit, perversion, selfishness can lie dormant in any human being. We can label these broadly as symptoms of sin.

Even as Christians, we are in a process of dealing with the remnants of the elements of life itself. But we must consider what is eating away at our soul with the intention to devour us. What is eating us alive?

The Bible has a host of references and scriptures meant to address the problem of what is eating us from the inside out- not just physically but spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, socially and otherwise. But if we are ignorant of our own infection, how can we deal with the symptoms that manifest in many different forms.

Sometimes we live as if we are in a bubble, succumbing to routine and daily rituals, failing to examine ourselves. Anything that separates us from love both of God and of one another need to be addressed. We need to look under the hood, identify the problem and allow God to heal us. Many times we look for physical healing, but we also need healing for the other parts of ourselves not quite visible. And this self inspection must take place daily. We need to pray the Word of God in our lives. God knows us and our needs and He is ever able to lead us through the darkness, the dark nights, the dark places and into His glorious Light, Love and Grace.

Psalm 139 (NKJV)- A Psalm of David

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
² You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
³ You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
⁵ You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.