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There I was, minding my own business, listening to a speaker when I popped a piece of gum in my mouth and ….yeooow!  I knew immediately what the problem was, and what the cure would be … and I was not happy.

The beginning of this story starts about eighteen months ago in my dentist’s office.  I’m a big chicken, but there are some things that just have be faced, and this particular root canal was one of them.  So, I faced my fear and went through with the procedure.  I got a nice new crown and went on my way.  Everything seemed fine, until I went back for my 6-month checkup.  “Hmmmm,” said the dentist as he looked at my x-ray.  That was not particularly comforting.  He went on to say that something didn’t look quite right about the root that had been roto-rootered.  He told me to return in 6 months for repeat x-rays unless my jaw started hurting.  Now, I have a pretty high pain tolerance, so I figured I wouldn’t be back until necessary.

At that next visit, another x-ray confirmed there was a problem, specifically, a pocket of infection.  This time he gave me a heavy-duty antibiotic and told me to return in a month.  At the next visit the infection had cleared, but it had left an empty space where bone should be.  The plan was another six months of waiting unless pain should develop.  The occasional tiny, dull ache did not bother me too much.  Heavens, I’ve given birth to children, I could certainly handle a little toothache!  That is, until that fateful day with that single piece of gum.  With the shooting pain, I knew my denial was over.  It was time for another root canal.

Identify the Infection – I recently was in a situation where I felt inadequate and in over my head.  My self talk took me to a dark place that I know did not honor God.  As the pain in my jaw reminded me that there was an infection that needed to be dealt with, God showed me that these feelings of insecurity were symptoms of a root problem.  I was comparing myself to other people with other gifts.  I was discounting the gifts God gave me by allowing myself to feel inferior.  I love the conversation between Peter and Jesus in John 21.  Jesus tells Peter what’s going to happen to him in the future, and Peter asks, “Well, what about B. D.?  (The unnamed “beloved disciple.”)  And Jesus replies, “Pete, that’s none-ya bizness.”  (Or in NIV language, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?  You must follow me.”)  God has a specific path and plan for each of us, and I can only do what God asks of ME!  So as God shines his spotlight onto the problem, I know that I must confess my sin and trust that God forgives me.  (I John 1:9).  Secondly, I know that I cannot rely on my feelings to tell me what is truth.  “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” (I John 3:19-20 NIV).

Restore the Root – The dentist explained that once the infection was gone there was a space left behind in which bone needed to grow.  The root must be reestablished.  In the same way, I need to restore my empty space with God’s truth.  In this instance, I was struggling with an identity crisis, so I reaffirm what I know to be real about my TRUE identify…I am born of God (I John 4:7); I am blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3); I have been given great promises (2 Pet 1:4), I am God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10); I am a member of Christ’s body (1: Cor 12:27); I am chosen of God – holy and beloved (Col 3:12), I am called to do the works of Christ (John 14:12); I am a partaker of a heavenly calling (Heb 3:1).  The list goes on and on!

Practice Good Hygiene – Not every dental problem can be avoided, but you can certainly prevent most with daily brushing and flossing.  My spiritual health requires good daily habits also; Bible study, prayer, worship, and finding ways to show God’s love to the world.  There is an old song that keeps playing in my head as I have worked through this process …

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

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