Man, I wish I had a condition.
Conditions are sweet!
If I was bi-polar, I could live like a king!
I could be ungrateful, unkind, irresponsible, indecent, lazy and selfish…
…and everyone would chalk it up to my illness!
“John stole a car and trashed the Mayor’s yard!”
“Try to understand, he’s not well.”
I don’t want a serious condition.
Don’t need to have a stroke!
Just some vague but recognizable debility.
Enough to start getting government checks.
“I can’t work. I’ve got Attention Deficit Disorder.”
Without a condition, bad behavior requires an apology.
Illness means never having to say you’re sorry!
“I have low self-esteem. That’s why I set your garage on fire.”
Without a condition, I have to answer for my misdeeds.
That sucks.
It makes me feel guilty and icky and sad.
Hey!
It makes me sad!
That’s like depression, isn’t it?
Depression is a condition!
So if I’m openly hostile toward you…
…you need to understand.
I’m depressed.
Or lactose intolerant.
Or diabetic.
Or an alcoholic.
Or sex addict.
Or claustrophobic.
Or privileged.
…pick one.
And I haven’t had my meds today.
7 Responses
John,
Sort of like having a sin nature that causes people to sin.
“It’s not my fault… I was born that way.”
Dave
Romans 6:1-2 (ESV) – What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
Of course this post is for the cynical.
My personal story is that I take ADHD medication. I do not have ADHD, but because of my past, and drug use in my past, my body functions better with this medication. I have never thought to blame my actions, thoughts, or deeds honor because of my diagnosis, and/ or my medication. Maybe I should! Maybe I should become one of the entitled.
Unfortunately, the malady of Christ, is a conscience. It means that regardless of how others interpret the way that laws and bilaws are written, I am still held by a higher standard, God’s standard. Even though I would like to whine sometimes in my selfishness.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
II Corinthians 12:9-10
That’s the attitude we all need. Who knows what ailed the great apostle, but God’s grace was sufficient. It is sufficient for each of us.
Some illnesses and “conditions” are anything but funny. Yet giving ourselves or anyone else a pass is pointless. Only God can do that for us. We are justified by our faith in Him, not our condition.
Try having a brain tumor. Then whenever you tell people reply back, “Really? You look great!” And random old ladies from church give you hugs after service. AND you get free hospital socks whenever you have a visit. It’s the life! 😂😂😂
…or have a gluten allergy
Yes! How do I get one of those?