Naturally being the nerdy self that I am, I was researching some things on cancer and began seeing a common theme…two words that kept popping up: malignant and invasive. Malignant coming from the Latin root “mal” meaning “bad” and “nascor” meaning “to be born”. Essentially meaning to be born bad. For us English people this means a condition that is threatening to life or well-being. Invasive is something that tends to spread quickly, undesirably, and harmfully. It is many times something that is difficult to stop.
I was thinking about the nature of substances that deserve these two terms. Then I realized we all contain something or another which may be described like this. We all relate to each other through these words. Maybe its the lies that you aren’t pretty enough, or the idea that you don’t have enough, or that you don’t fit in because of the clothes you wear, maybe it’s the expectations that you can never quite live up to, or something you did in the past that you still regret, or the mental illness clouding your mind from seeing your true self, or maybe even the physical ailment you were recently diagnosed with. I don’t know your specific story but I do know I relate to you because of our malignant, invasive substances.
All of these things and so many more have planted their seeds in our minds. They take root and are nothing more than malignant, invasive substances. They may start as little thoughts but quickly, harmfully, undesirably grow and have an affect on our well-being. Until we recognize the impact these substances have on us they will continue growing and infiltrating others parts of who we are. Sounds kinda scary…but it’s the reality of the world we live in. It’s a broken, suffering world, making us broken suffering humans.
Thankfully as I continue maturing in my faith and understanding more about this reality I’ve learned that we have been given the most accessible, simple, comforting, perfect solution for our substance problem. I’ve learned to close my eyes and pray. I tell God how I feel, that I’m struggling, and that I need help. Seems like prayer for dummies but the truth is, He waits everyday with an outstretched hand for me to receive his help. He knows what I need better than even I do.
God I’m sad. I’m sad that we all are struggling. I’m sad many times we struggle alone. Please help us. Please comfort us. Please help everyone we know, every one reading this, everyone who will go unnoticed in this place. Thank you for waiting for us everyday even when we choose to try to do it on our own. Thank you that you know what’s best. Thank you that all we have to do is ask and you will always love us. Even when we say this and continue to try doing it alone, you are our steadfast father, you will never leave us. Heal us of our malignant, invasive substances. Take them from us and fill that place in our hearts with an overflowing joy for life and love for others. Amen
