Remember the good old days when there were no commercials on T.V. for prescription drugs? Now we can hardly get through a single program without being badgered to run to our doctors for some kind of wonder pill.
I think it’s interesting to observe how the marketing experts place pharmaceutical ads on T.V. Heavy dramas are likely to be loaded with pitches for medicines treating insomnia, depression and anxiety. It occurs to me that turning off these gut-wrenching, emotion-twisting programs might be a more effective treatment for these afflictions than any drug on the market.
During sports telecasts, we are assaulted by pharmaceutical commercials that are designed especially for … well, for men. I’ll leave it at that, but believe me, these ads can make you blush and squirm if you’re remotely modest and anyone else is in the room. I’m nearly overcome with an urge to hurl the remote control at my T.V. and scream, “WAY too much information!” Instead, I fumble for the “mute” button and try not to read lips. Ignorance is not always bliss, but in this case, I think it might be.
Sports shows are also laced with ads for products that treat conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It’s possible that turning off the commercials, putting the Fritoes back in the pantry, prying ourselves out of our recliners and taking our bodies to the gym might just render some of these medications unnecessary.
Drug commercials are a real study in human psychology. They’re full of warm and fuzzy images, designed to convince us that we’re only one prescription away from a magnificent life. The hitch comes at the end of the commercials, when advertisers are required to list any possible negative side effects. Just when we are feeling like yes, this medication WILL help us fulfill our destinies in life, a frenzied voice machine-guns the warnings: “ … an increased risk of blood clots … nausea and vomiting … sleeplessness … headaches … blurred vision … dizziness … fatigue” and so forth and so on. What a list! It sounds like God’s Old Testament plagues on the Egyptians!
Sure, these hideous side effects may rarely occur, but they are obviously very possible. Once the announcer starts reciting this list, the warm fuzzies evaporate and I realize I’d have to be knocking on death’s door to take a medicine that could bring on such a disgusting array of potential afflictions.
The Bible contains more than a few “prescriptions,” too, but they don’t have any nasty side effects. God’s “medicine” is always potent and life-giving.
When God says, “Don’t … ,” He’s always saying, “Don’t do this because it will ultimately hurt you.” And oh, the pain we could avoid if we heeded His prescription and steered clear of poisons like dishonesty, selfishness, greed, rage, adultery, and addictions.
When God says, “Do … ,” He’s always saying, “Do this and be blessed.” And how blessed we would be if we followed His prescription for large doses of love, honesty, faith, peace, joy, patience, self-control, hope, kindness, honor, contentment and selflessness.
I’m all for “better living through pharmaceuticals” when medications are necessary. But God has plenty of good medicine available, too, and when you swallow His “pills,” you don’t have to feel like a time bomb waiting to explode with side effects that might be worse than the condition you’re trying to treat.
God’s truth is just plain good for whatever ails you, whether your afflictions are spiritual, physical, emotional, relational, or even financial. His Word and His principles work all the time, in every case, without any scary fine print. And they won’t ever be taken off the market.
Some medicines can enhance our lives, but only God’s medicine IS life. And here’s the prescription, free of charge: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:7-8)