SIDE EFFECTS

 For all you perfectly healthy people out there, this more than likely does not apply to you--BUT it may someday.  In a recent conversation, I was lamenting how a prescribed drug may well clear up the symptoms of one malady to only create a new malady.  A case in point is some of the drugs used to treat hypertension (that would be high blood pressure for us laymen) can cause kidney damage which leads to kidney disease. Another case- my mother took antihistamines for allergies most of her life to control the symptoms.  This eventually led to a condition where the wet tissues in her body began to dry up.  Without giving you the morbid details, she ended up having an occuo-plastic surgeon replace her eyelids.  Let me just say---the pain after that surgery was MUCH greater than the discomfort of allergies.  There is a long list of possible side effects which comes with each and every prescribed drug we take.  Truly--that old saying

 has a great deal of truth to it.  During the course of the conversation, I was told by the one I was speaking with they could not get their high blood pressure under control.  When I mentioned the drugs to treat high blood pressure can sometimes lead to kidney damage they were unaware.  How many times are we totally unaware--clueless --to the fact that one thing invariably leads to another.  It can be as simple as eating peanuts or chips---in my case---one ALWAYS leads to another and another and another.  I seem to be addicted to all things salty.  My only solution is to not take that first one---for it is a proven fact--once I get started I will not stop until I regret starting.

Does anything come without side effects?  Even the air we breath and the water we drink may contain containments which might eventually lead to cancer or some other malady.  It is amazing we take the risk of walking out the door every day with all the possible side effects that may come into our path.  What is one to do?  

I remember an episode of "Young Sheldon" in which he became paralyzed and shut himself away from the world because of possible contaminants causing him an illness.  His very wise and savvy grandmother reminded him--there are always dangers lurking--and we cannot live our lives in fear.  We have to live---and trust we will avoid all those lurking side effects.  The Word addresses fear a great deal.  God does not want us living with a spirit of fear.  He desires us to live life to the fullest---and trust His plan.  There is something to be said for not knowing the side effects---and dealing with them if they do occur.  Are we going to chance dying of a high blood pressure induced stroke so we will not have possible kidney damage?  Kidney disease is usually slow moving, but a stroke--well we all know the instantaneous blow it can be.   There are times the risk is out weighed by the benefits.  Life is a balancing act---and we best have our hands out and up to keep our balance.  Deal with what is in front of you today and fear not what tomorrow may bring--instead TRUST the sun will indeed come up and bring the joy of the sunshine.

"So do not fear,

for I am with you;

do not be dismayed,

for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you 

with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10