A recent study by the Peruvian government showed that 43 percent of customers at local pharmacies are self-medicating. That is, they are purchasing medication, without a prescription, and without visiting a doctor. The study went on to say that the people were buying medications using their own judgment and criteria with no medical knowledge. This is often proving to be dangerous because many medications have serious side effects and potentially dangerous interactions with other drugs.
I wasn't surprised by the article. We've always known that no prescriptions are required to purchase medications here. We've seen first hand how dangerous this can be for some Peruvians. A spiritual application also came to my mind. As humans we often try to self-medicate in our spiritual life. We don't look to God and His Word when we face difficulties and struggles. We often rely on our own ideas for solutions in our daily life. Just like buying medications without a prescription is dangerous so to is trying to solve our own problems in our own power. The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? We might think we know the answers but our heart will often deceive us and lead us away from the things of the Lord. Let's always look to the Lord when difficulties come our way. The spiritual "side effects" will be worth it!
