Do as I say not as I do is a phrase I have heard and repeated many times. It is used when our actions don’t align with our words, values or stated rules. Another word for this is hypocrite. Recently, I came face to face with my own hypocrisy.
I frequently advise others on diet and health particularly related to autoimmune disease. I follow the research closely as I have autoimmune issues. Typically, this shows up as eczema in my body. Several years ago I learned that, if I don’t eat foods containing gluten, I don’t break out with the itchy patches on my foot. About a year ago, it started randomly showing up without a gluten exposure. Sugar was also something that I rarely ate. Do as I say would mean conducting an elimination diet to see if there is a new trigger. What did I do-nothing.
I have known that I should do an elimination diet, but lets face it, they are not fun nor easy. There are 7 foods in the version I have done in the past: gluten, sugar/artificial sweeteners, peanuts, corn, soy, dairy and eggs. There are more extreme versions, but this one has worked for me. I didn’t want to limit my food choices again. I didn’t want to face losing another food group from my diet.
Then my ears began to itch and weep. After using the remainder of my son’s expired antibiotic ear drops, I was convinced I had a double ear infection, so off to the minute clinic I went. One look and she was shocked at the inflammation in my outer ear, but nothing in the inner ear. Then she said, “It’s not an ear infection; it’s eczema.”
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,without comparing themselves to someone else, (Galatians 6:2-4 NIV)
Shocked to find out it was eczema, I was faced with my own hypocrisy. Was I going to do as I say or continue to ignore my own advice. Verse three from this chapter in Galatians hit home. I was decieving myself. I was trying to be something I’m not. It was time to set my will aside and do what God had been nudging me toward for some time. Even though an elimination diet is hard, I know I will feel better. I will have more energy and will likely stop itching. More than that, physical, emotional and spiritual wellness are all intricately linked. I firmly believe taking another step toward health will also bring me another step closer to God and God’s will for me.
How about you? Do you struggle with doing what you say versus what you do? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.