What My Misdiagnosis Taught Me about sin
- Kristin Luschen
- May 19
- 3 min read
Over the past six months, I experienced a series of disruptive medical symptoms—so intense at times that I couldn’t focus on anything else while they were happening.
When the symptoms first began, I was certain I knew the cause. I had experienced something similar before, and at that time it had been easily resolved with a course of antibiotics.
So I followed the same path.
Doctor visit.
Prescription.
Faithful treatment.
The symptoms disappeared.
But two months later, they came back.
Assuming it was simply a recurrence, I repeated the process.
Once again, the symptoms resolved—only to return a month later.
A third round of treatment followed.
When the Obvious Answer Isn’t the Right One
This time, the symptoms came back almost immediately—and much worse than before. Even over-the-counter medications that had previously helped offered no relief.
I was desperate.
I couldn’t function.
Nothing worked.
I began researching other possible causes. I tried every recommended remedy I could find.
Still, I was miserable.
Treating the Symptoms, Missing the Cause
Finally, after several weeks, I discovered something surprising: although my symptoms perfectly matched the condition I had been treating, the underlying cause was completely different. The antibiotics had only been addressing the symptoms—not the root issue.
Once I received the correct diagnosis and treatment, the symptoms resolved within days.
While the condition is chronic and requires ongoing care, I gladly follow the treatment plan because the relief is incredible.
I feel like myself again.
A Mirror Into My Own Life
As I reflected on this experience, I began to see a deeper parallel in my own life.
How often do I try to “treat” my struggles the same way—by addressing symptoms instead of the root cause?
If I’m not intentional, I default to the world’s solutions. And just like my incorrect medical treatment, they may provide temporary relief—but ultimately make things worse.
Here are a few ways I’ve seen this play out:
Trying to fill emptiness by working harder or accumulating more
Numbing anxiety about the world through television or social media
Blaming others for the emotions I’m experiencing
At the core of each of these is the same issue: I’ve left God out of the equation and tried to fix things on my own.
The Only True Cure
But God offers a different way:
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6–7 (NKJV)
When I rely on my own solutions, I don’t just stay stuck—I drift farther from Him, often falling into burnout, distraction, pride, and judgment.
But God, in His grace, provides a way back:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
The truth is, I’m affected by a condition far more serious than any physical illness—sin. And it cannot be cured by human effort.
It can only be healed by the Great Physician, Jesus Christ, through His sacrifice on the cross.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
The only way to experience true healing is to acknowledge my need, receive His gift, and walk daily in dependence on Him.
And when I do, something beautiful happens:
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13–14 (NKJV)
When You’re Stuck in the Cycle
If you're recognizing yourself in this—if you’ve been stuck in cycles that never seem to fully resolve—it may be because you’ve been treating symptoms instead of the root cause.
🧭 COMPASS CHECK
Where am I treating symptoms (stress, anxiety, frustration) rather than inviting God to address the root?
📍TRAIL MARKER
God doesn't just relieve my symptoms —He works at the root of what is broken.
👣 FAITHFUL STEP
Invite God into one area today where I've been trying to self-manage instead of surrender.
Coaching is a space where we gently uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface, invite God into those places, and begin walking in the freedom He’s already made available.
If you’re ready to stop striving for temporary relief and start experiencing lasting transformation, I’d love to invite you to explore what that could look like together.
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