Only the thin line of hair suggests the pic above is not an asteroid-pocked Martian landscape. But that was my forehead just two weeks ago.
Three skin cancers over 20 years have made me an habitué of dermatologists who look for precancerous hard spots on my skin. The last time, she took a look, ran her fingers over my face, neck and arms, and gave up. "You have too many actinic keratoses for me to freeze. I want to prescribe a cream, Fluorouracil, that finds more than I can, and then kills them."
So for two weeks I applied it twice daily, and the pic shows it four days after the application ceased. The red spots reveal the precancerous areas being killed, and the darker the more intensive. Yes, it was painful, itchy, and sensitive. Still is, I applied an ice pack last night to my forehead.
Not a pleasant process, but getting cancer, again, is much worse. And what a splendid spiritual lesson.
We sometimes have areas of danger, not quite to the level of sin but leading that way, that we're not aware of. Other times we recognize areas of concern, but we're not sure how important they are, or how to handle them. Spiritual Fluorouracil provides the solution for them both.
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).
As we study God's word, his Holy Spirit penetrates the surface of our lives and reveals those problem areas, ones we often had no clue about. He lets us know the danger involved. Then, he helps us solve them. Much like spiritual Fluorouracil. Yes, the process can involve pain and discomfort. Yes, it can get ugly. But it can save our lives.
Kick Starting the Application (pardon the Fluorouracil pun)
Do you have some areas you kind of worry could lead you into danger? Have you already applied God's word to them? How? Is it conceivable that you might have some areas like that you're not aware of yet?
Let me suggest that for the next two weeks you regularly read scripture, as we all should, BUT as you do, look for it to reveal some possible problem spiritual areas in your life. Rely on the Holy Spirit to help you with this. Then, again using scripture, develop a practical strategy to keep you from going deeper. It might also be wise to share this journey with a trusted friend and share where God's word transforms you.