Healthy Living

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In Due Time
© 2008

by

Stephen A. Peterson


“Say doc do you have anything for headaches? I’ve got a splitter,” complained Petty Officer Tim Morrison.

“Yeah, I’ve got something for a headache,” responded the ship’s physician.

“I hope its strong, doc! I’ve had one headache after another.”

“Sure, not a problem.”

After an examination and taking Petty Officer Morrison vitals, the ship doctor asked him a question. “Petty Officer,” he began, “you may choose not to answer my question, but I’m going to ask it anyhow. Do you have some deep resentments or hatreds in your life?” Initially, the sailor denied that he had any such feelings. Then he admitted that had some anxious moments for about ten days or so. Another man had been promoted ahead of him during the ship’s mission in the Persian Gulf roughly a month ago.

“I should have gotten that promotion. Everybody knows I do the best work in the ship’s engine room. Since he was promoted, I haven’t talked to him because I really get angry when I run into him.”

“Your headaches could be related,” the doctor told him. “And even if it isn’t, you are carrying some potentially destructive seeds. Why don’t you discuss your problem with this fellow to God? After all from what you’ve told me, he has done nothing to offend you. Promotions go before a promotion board. They do the selection of a person for promotion. It is not the person who you are taking it out on.

Petty Officer Morrison took the doctor’s advice, went before God to ask for forgiveness. He then went a step further to reconcile himself with the man he had known for many years but was promoted ahead of him. He confided in him the problem he had with him and asked for his forgiveness. The man was shocked but forgave him as soon as he made mention of it to him. The two men became immediate friends again. Not surprising, Petty Officer Morrison’s severe headaches went away and he was able to do his work more effectively. Petty Officer Morrison was considered for promotion a year later and, in fact, was promoted.

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