It was a dusky, Wednesday night in 1991. I was leading a Bible study at Tribbey Baptist Church when we were suddenly interrupted. A local youth named Octavia came running into the church yelling for help. A neighbor had been bitten by a snake, a copperhead, and he needed medical attention.

I handed the service over to one of the ladies who led the small group in prayer while I drove the man to the hospital just south of Shawnee.

The man was well known in Tribbey. He was always drunk, or working toward that goal, whenever I had contact with him. Tonight was no exception. He had been playing with the copperhead as some kind of game.

He did not want to go. He was only bitten on the hand after all. But it started to swell and his friends, mostly local youth, begged him into my car and we sped away.

My passenger chose to ride in the back seat, which I thought odd but not concerning. (Later I discovered some contraband hidden between the seats.)

We arrived at the hospital in record time, checked into the ER, and the team immediately went into action to control the swelling of their new patient’s thumb.

The patient was uncooperative.

Less than 30 minutes later, he exited the ER against medical advice, found alternative transportation and left without so much as a “thank you.”

Those of us battling morbid obesity and this addiction to food tread down this same road. We realize, at least some of the time, we need help. We sometimes even call out for it. But when help is offered, when a cure is presented, we turn our back and leave.

We do not want to admit the problem is eating too much food.

We do not want to admit we are powerless by ourselves.

We do not want to admit we need help.

We simply ignore the swelling of our bodies and move on as though everything is normal.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. – Mark 11:24 NIV

People often comment about my weight loss, that it must be such hard work. My typical response is “not really.” It has been much easier than expected. But I am not the one doing the heavy lifting. That was the deal. I called out for help. He answered. That was the first conversation. – See Conversations

All that was required was my willingness to ask for help.

He took care of the rest.

The author is available for one-on-one coaching to help your through your personal journey.  Just email ken.centralhigh@gmail.com and ask for help.  Rates $25/30 minutes.  Skype, telephonic and in-person coaching available.