In the summer of 2006, I was picked to participate in a week of classes at Western Carolina University with several of my colleagues. As we drove across the state of North Carolina I was amazed by the beautiful plant that seemed to be everywhere. When I mentioned this plant to my colleagues, they were shocked by my naïve perspective. The plant that I considered to be beautiful was actually an invasion of kudzu.
This plant appeared to be everywhere, because in fact it was. Kudzu can grow up to one foot in just 24 hours and takes over quickly. It doesn’t need living things to latch onto, but in fact will latch onto anything in its path. Those things that are living will not last long. The more they told me and the more I looked out the window and how it never seemed to end, the more I grew fearful of the Little Shop of Horrors coming to life! OK, I am not that naïve, but I did indeed ask why someone didn’t just stop it.
It is funny to think about now, but I am sure I am not the only one who struggles with something someone else might think, “why can’t you just stop it?”
Addictions are not just drugs, alcohol, and pornography; we get addicted to food, sugar, caffeine and even things that are “deemed good for us” like praise, working out, dieting, and serving.
12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
As we are headed into the holiday season some of us may need more self control on our physical bodies. We may need to identify what we are putting in or take steps to shape our physical health. To be reminded that although I have the free will to do what I want, it was bought at a price and therefore my choices reflect how I feel about my heavenly father’s gift to me.
But for some of us, in this holiday season we also need to be mindful of our mental health.
Recently I was able to be fully transparent with a friend on my mental health for the next six months. Each year, as the weather starts to get cold, I turn into a different person. I become more secluded and less emotionally available. I start stacking on armor to avoid pain triggered through this season. A smile is plastered on for the outside world and any emotional hardship is stuffed deep within my soul.
The season begins like a kudzu plant; seemingly harmless until day after day it continues to grow.
The growth takes over everything that is in its path. Those that are living sometimes get knocked over in the process. Eventually waking up to realize nothing is left the same and there is no way to remove the tangled, overbearing growth of depression in our souls. You have been invaded.
Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Kudzu isn’t a native born plant to North Carolina. It was introduced from Asia to control soil erosion. As it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, when we accept Christ into our hearts we are made new.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
What we freely choose to put into our body and mind is a choice. We have a choice to the people, situations, and atmosphere we allow to surround us. What we allow to invade our lives is a choice.
As I stated earlier, I am fully aware that in the past this is the beginning of a six month down hill stride for me. I am recognizing that I have a choice! I am allowing myself grace in knowing I will probably fall a few times, but I am really going to try and focus on what is pure, holy, and not allow my depression to invade every part of my life.
This season will you allow an invasion of body or mind?
