I am going to have to give in and make an appointment to see my dentist. I do not like going to the dentist but neither do I like having a giant toothache that does not let me concentrate on anything else. There is this constant pounding in my jaw that does not let up.
That infected tooth has gotten my attention. When it was not hurting, I did not even know it was there. Now all I can do is think about it.
What is going on with my tooth is symbolic of what goes on in our journey of faith. We can be going along smoothly and then suddenly something comes up that is painful to face and deal with. We hope it will go away on its own, like I did with my toothache, but it never does. Most of the time the pain or problem only gets worse over time.
With me it probably means I will need the tooth extracted. Along our journey, pain may enter our lives through sin. The only way to remove the pain is to stop denying it’s there and do what is necessary to remove it. The longer we wait, the more the infection will spread.
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9 NIV
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