Jill had always been a...
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Jill had always been a bright student. She graduated near the top of her class in high school and went to college to study music. A gifted pianist, she soon developed a love for the pipe organ. Her first year of college was a good experience. She did well in her classes and progressed on both the piano and the organ. She made new friends as well. Her parents were pleased that everything was going so well for their daughter.
Then, early in her sophomore year, she began to gain weight and her grades started to drop. She lost much of her enthusiasm for music and she alienated most of her friends. Her sudden change in personality caused her parents to question whether she was using drugs. Blood tests proved that she was not. Further testing eventually led to a diagnosis of a chemical imbalance in her system. Medicine could regulate the imbalance, and although she will have to take the medicine for the rest of her life, the results have been dramatic.
What has also been dramatic is the difference in her actions when she goes off the medicine and the old behaviors come back. It's amazing that a small amount of medicine (or the lack thereof) can put us in control or out of control.
Jill off her medicine: out of control. Jill on her medicine: control. "For the mind of the flesh: death. The mind of the spirit: life and peace" (v. 6).
Then, early in her sophomore year, she began to gain weight and her grades started to drop. She lost much of her enthusiasm for music and she alienated most of her friends. Her sudden change in personality caused her parents to question whether she was using drugs. Blood tests proved that she was not. Further testing eventually led to a diagnosis of a chemical imbalance in her system. Medicine could regulate the imbalance, and although she will have to take the medicine for the rest of her life, the results have been dramatic.
What has also been dramatic is the difference in her actions when she goes off the medicine and the old behaviors come back. It's amazing that a small amount of medicine (or the lack thereof) can put us in control or out of control.
Jill off her medicine: out of control. Jill on her medicine: control. "For the mind of the flesh: death. The mind of the spirit: life and peace" (v. 6).
