Mission Trip Checkup: A Prescription for Spiritual HealthSample

  

Expect an Allergic Reaction

Have you ever packed an antihistamine when traveling, camping, or preparing a first aid kit? If so, you were likely anticipating when you could come into contact with something that your body would have an allergic reaction to.

Every day, we can see that sin's touch on the world provokes an allergic reaction. Pain, bondage, and oppression are just some examples. Often, we will not react to such allergens until we are outside of the comfort zones where we've developed a tolerance or immunity. On your mission trip, when you come into contact with allergens such as poverty, hostility, illness, injustice, or suffering, for example, it's never predictable what type of reaction you will have. Sometimes, reactions to these allergens look like sorrow, discomfort, anger, compassion, or even an intense eagerness to return home.

How do you plan to treat these reactions? What will your antihistamine be? 

Why not resolve in the time before exposure that your reaction will be to turn to God, asking Him the reason for the reaction and what to do with what you're experiencing? Let God’s wisdom, voice, and insight be your antihistamine, and let the allergens’ effects lead you to act in God-inspired ways.

Practical consideration

Sometimes the heartbreak we experience toward the hurt in the world is God giving us a taste of His grief toward sin and its effects. Pack a journal and small Bible to help you process these thoughts and emotions. Set aside alone time with the Lord each day on mission.