CHRONIC DISEASES: DEMYSTIFIED.

Let me tell you a short story: growing up in my hometown more than four decades ago. There was this particular river that had so many stories around it. The stories were terrifying. As a child, we had stories of how spirits patrol the areas around the river. Interestingly, the river has a scary name; when translated into English, it means. “King that became a Lion” Those days, as a child, you dare not even think of passing the river at night. We would only pass through the river at night if we were accompanied by an adult—not just an adult but a brave one. Even with the presence of an adult, we will be so scared, our heads will swell, our hearts will be beating so fast, and we will be panting.

Interestingly, something happened that changed everything for me. As I am writing this story, I was just thinking to myself, Were those things real? Were there spirits that patrolled the river areas? Why did we believe those stories? Let me tell you what happened one fateful evening. I was a teenager then and just gave my life to Christ. I was going home alone from my aunt’s house around 10pm in the night. I was singing full of joy until I approached the river. Suddenly, the song disappeared. The stories I have heard over the years just came flooding my mind, and before I could even think, fear gripped my heart. My heart started beating so fast that I started sweating; it was as if my legs could not carry me.

As I stood close to the river, I had two choices before me: either go back and spend the night in my aunt’s house, or move forward and walk home. To make matters even worse, the bridge had just collapsed, so I had to wade through the water reaching to my waist. At that moment, I decided to continue my journey home. As I approached the river, my head was heavy, my heart rate was so high, and my breathing was fast.

Ladies and gentlemen, something happened. As I got into the water, I stood in the middle of the river and told myself I would stand there to wait for the spirits to come. I waited for almost thirty minutes, and Lo and behold, no spirit came. As I walked out of that river, all the fears, dread, and stories just disappeared to this day. It was then I realized that those stories were created by the elders and it was just a myth. I want to put it to you that chronic diseases are a myth created by the medical system. I know this may sound crazy, but, as you follow me in the next series of articles, you will agree with me that chronic diseases are a myth. Just like the story I told you. The moment you understand that chronic diseases are a myth, All the fears and dread will disappear from your heart. That knowledge will change your perspective about chronic diseases because you will understand them for what it are.