Recently, a good friend of mine was telling me about her battle with eczema. She would wake up in the middle of the night, seemingly unable to stop scratching lesions on her skin because they itched so badly. In fact, the irritation and inflammation got so bad that she ended up in an Urgent Care Center late one evening! Although she got temporary relief through medication that they prescribed, every time she scratched the remaining itch, her condition got worse.
Her unfortunate case made me think about the itch in all of our lives. For the majority, our itch is a metaphor for bad habits we have developed. And like my friend’s eczema that spread, every time we scratch, the habit gets harder to treat. The good news is that if you do not give in to the urge to scratch, the itch eventually goes away!
What is the itch you are dying to scratch? The example we'll look at here (as it is one that I hear a lot) is procrastination, which is simply giving in to the compulsion to engage in an activity in order to avoid a task deemed uncomfortable. This scratch often looks like checking emails, your smartphone, Facebook, turning on the TV, checking what is in the refrigerator, eating junk food…doing anything perceived as pleasurable rather than starting the dreaded task.
I think we can all take lessons from my friend, who fortunately learned how to stop scratching her itch. She taught me several things, which I hope you can apply.
First: she had to realize that she had been scratching without awareness; until she noticed she was doing it, she could not stop! Recognition always precedes change.
Second: identify the cost of scratching. My friend’s eczema progressed until it covered a large percentage of her body, causing extreme misery. Procrastination erodes self-esteem, and may also make it difficult for others to be around your chaos as you scramble to meet deadlines. What is the price that you are paying?
Third: make a commitment to not scratch, no matter how tempting! When her inflamed skin started to swell and bleed, my friend had a good reason to resist the itch! Find a reason to seriously commit, for the benefit of you or others.
Fourth: notice the itch, but do not scratch. My friend said that at times, she felt panicked because the desire to scratch was so tempting! Instead, she would distract herself by using ice cubes or a lotion to soothe. Be prepared for those moments when your urge to give in to your habit will be so strong you feel powerless to stop. That may be the time to call someone for support and accountability, or to figure out what unresolved feelings or needs are fueling the desire. My friend had to find out why her system became imbalanced and vulnerable to eczema in the first place.
Finally, realize there is a power greater than you to help. I opened this blog with a verse from Romans, which makes it apparent that Paul the apostle understood the struggle involved in not scratching the itch. His writing reveals one of the marks of a mature Christian; he is honest about his weakness and limited ability to help himself.
I am so grateful that Paul not only normalizes our human tendency to scratch, but also offers this hope: through the power of the Holy Spirit, your itch does not need to control your life! I end with His promise from Romans 8:37: “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Amen!
Until next time, Blessings! Deb