Hold Fast in Hard Times — Pimple Popping (Day 16)
I am a pimple popper. If I see a red blotch on my face, something triggers in my brain that moves straight to my fingers. I squeeze, squeeze, squeeze the life out of those little boogers.
But, I am trying to reform. I am trying to reform because my husband is not a fan of my pimple protocol. You see, I try to pop the pimple, but it never really goes away. I squeeze until I get a big red welt on my face, and then I try to cover it up with concealer. I think it looks better, but I guess it really doesn’t. It looks inflamed and unhealthy.
My man said that if I just ignored the pimple, it would go away faster. I didn’t believe him.
Honestly, I thought I would get past the pimple stage. I mean, I am not a teenager any more. Who would have known that I’d still be getting pimples at almost 50 years of age? I guess pimples are just a part of life.
Earlier this month, I woke up one morning to discover a little red pimple right on the edge of my upper lip. Have you ever had one of those? They are tiny, but they are so painful. I looked at that red blotch in the mirror, and I wanted to squeeze the life out of it.
I wanted to pop it, but I didn’t. I resisted the urge because of my husband. I chose to ignore that blemish. I just let it be.
You know what happened? That little booger disappeared in two days. I actually forgot all about it. I just woke up one day and looked in the mirror, and it was gone.
I must confess that my new perspective on pimples has changed me. I’ve come to realize that sometimes I just need to stop trying to control my circumstances. Sometimes, I just need to let it be — because when I force things, it inflames the problem and makes my life much more unhealthy.
Lord, help me to bear in mind that blemishes in life are brief.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
so that you may be blameless and pure,
children of God without blemish
though you live in a crooked and perverse society,
in which you shine as lights in the world
Philippians 2:14-15, NET
Something to think about…
To see all of the posts in this series, head on over here.
I think God has just talked to me through your post! Thank you for writing this. I needed this. You are right, sometimes we need to stop being so in control. We are not in control, God is.
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LeeAnne, Style N Season
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LOL – Lyli – thanks for being so open and honest about something we’ve all had experience with in our lives. Such a great object lesson – but really hard to NOT pop and fuss over those blemishes. Actually, popping them makes the poison spread. Ugh! There’s a deeper metaphor here, to be sure!
On a practical note, your pimples are hormonal at 50 years. They are gone post menapause. Once in a while I get one trying to come up and I put Frankincense and Thieves essential oils on it at the first sign of it. They do disappear. Anointing the sickness with an oil . . . God is in all things, ya know . . .
Joy!
Kathy
Lyli, it is so true that often when we pick at things, they only get inflamed & unhealthy. We truly do not have all the answers nor the means to alleviate every situation. Wisdom to be learned from this post!
So we can learn even from pimples. 🙂 God uses everything. I bought into that myth too that pimple would only be for teenagers, but yeah, over 50 and I still get them.
But the greater lesson you speak of here–letting things go and not trying to control them–is a great one! Still learning….
I’m a picker, too. Not just my face, but I tend to pick at circumstances, too. Good word of wisdom, Lyli!
HA! I so relate. Not only am I a notorious pimple popper, but I also struggle with scab picking and cuticle biting! I have itchy fingers, too.
Great lesson you brought out here, though. Yes, I also have trouble leaving situations and relationships alone. If things aren’t all hunky-dorey, I tend to meddle. (My sons just adore that trait, by the way…NOT!) It’s hard for me to trust God in the things that trouble me – or if I trust Him, I have a tendency to want to help Him…just a teeny bit. Very often I make things a lot worse.
Sigh.
Thanks for the great reminder that blemishes in life are short-lived, and that God truly is in control of it all.
GOD BLESS!
You always make me smile, Lyli.. and you are always full of wisdom. I love it.
Blessings!
Dawn