An ounce of prevention – worth a ton

“Pay me now or pay me later” and “An ounce of prevention versus a pound of cure” are two adages I grew up hearing over and over. These phrases immediately came to mind as I listened to Al Mohler’s The Briefing last week as he shared an article from USA Today about school supplies. When I think about school supplies, my mind goes to pencils, new pants, and paper (big question was “wide ruled or college ruled”). Yet this article mentions things I never would have thought I should make sure are available for high school or college students. It encourages parents to prepare students by knowing the availability, the locations and how to get the following: contraception, fentanyl test strips and Narcan. It also encourages awareness of COVID-19, and addressing mental health.

I am not one to stick my head in the sand and think these are not serious matters in our high schools and colleges, but it seems the assumption is that a “pound of cure” is the route to take when it comes to sex and drugs as school resumes. Why do we assume these are the “normal” or to-be-expected activities of students? They are not animals driven by desire, but thoughtful, willful people created by God. As I read the section on mental health, it is a primer on the “ounce of prevention.” Why is this not the same course of action for sex and drugs, which are direct contributors to the issues of mental health among students? Why is there no mention of abstaining from sex and drugs, but an ostensible assumption that we had better make sure they are prepared so something unwanted doesn’t occur? As my dad would say, “The easiest way for that not to happen is don’t go there, don’t do that, and don’t be with those that do.”

Parents, as you prepare to send them to school, the ounce of prevention is not found in any aisle of the store (educational, contraceptive or drug related). It is found in the preparation you have and continue to reinforce in their minds and hearts about their relationship to God and to you. This “ounce of prevention” is a daily check-in as they return from school and need (whether they not it or not) a debrief of their day and its encounters. John 10:10 tells us, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; but I (Jesus) have come that you might have life, abundant life.” If you need help in knowing how to do this, to prepare your students to successfully navigate their life in Christ, let us know. We want to walk alongside you and help. Any Bible-teaching, Jesus-loving church will want to help you. Give them a call.

Pressing on…

Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor