Different Troubles, Same Need

My fall allergies came at me all at once this past weekend. I am only now getting to the point where I can function well again. For me, my first clue that it is allergy season for me is overwhelming fatigue. The constant searching for moments to sneak away for a nap or 'just to rest my eyes' gets ridiculous within the first 24 hours. I am on my allergy medication now and expect to be my old bike-riding, gym-going self in short order.

When I shared my troubles with a friend she was surprised. As most people do, she assumed allergies are at their worst for everyone in the spring and summer seasons. For me, they come on soon after the first good rain. I suspect mold is the culprit. Whatever the source of my allergies, finding a proper treatment and using that treatment makes all the difference in the quality of my life and the lives of my family (I can be a little grumpy when I feel tired all the time. Anyone else?)

Isn't it interesting that, although God made all of us in His image, we are still very unique? We have endless combinations of eye, skin, and hair color, size, shape, etc. We also are unique in the way we interact with the world. Some are very sensitive to light, others aren't. Some love broccoli, some don't. Some struggle with allergies in the spring, some are more sensitive in the fall and some don't have allergies at all. We are also unique in what tempts us to sin.

Although we all sin, we are all tempted in different ways. Some are more likely to sin when alcohol is present. Some can fall into the sin of gossip pretty easily when surrounded by talkative people. Some are quick to start cursing when placed in frustrating situations. Some are more tempted by inappropriate movies or music. Some people are not tempted by any of these situations while others are tempted in ways we would never suspect.

We all engage in activities we enjoy and love to include friends and loved ones in our endeavors. When we encourage others to participate in our stuff, we need to be sensitive to their weaknesses as well as their ability to enjoy the activity with us. As Christian siblings, part of our role is to keep each other accountable to the standards placed before us in the Word. We might be fine watching a PG-13 romantic comedy, but it might cause our friend to begin to fantasize about someone other than their spouse. Enjoying a glass of wine might be relaxing for us, but it could open a door to drunkenness for those we care about who are tempted by alcohol. Including a friend in a game of bowling might tempt them to use an expletive or two when that ball doesn't go where they want it to go.

We can't assume that because we know all a lot about temptation that we know what issues tempt others. Such an assumption can cause us to place someone in a situation that is tempting to them even if we can't see why such a situation would be a temptation. I guess this is another example of why we need to be in constant communication with those we care about.

Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. - Romans 14:20-22