BEWARE OF LIARS CAMOFLAGING AS FRIENDS (CONCLUDED)

I continued to take the 400 milligrams of prescribed Celecoxib twice daily, per the physician’s instructions. Nevertheless, after approximately three months, I noticed that not only were my feet and legs uncomfortably cold at night even though I was covered with three blankets during the hours of darkness. My stomach which was usually flat was now looking like a barrel. I examined my feet and legs more closely and noticed that they were all swollen. Probably because they were retaining fluid. I concluded that the same phenomenon caused my pot-bellied gut. I returned to the pharmacy to inquire about the possible side effects of Celecoxib. As per usual I was splashed and blanketed with a combination of gross ignorance, and information blackout.

Common sense impressed me to discontinue taking Celecoxib. Since I could think of no other possible cause for my sudden weight change, I adopted this course of action. Furthermore, I called my Herbalist friend in Brenyekwa and explained my problem to him. He advised me to juice some ginger, Aloe Vera, and oranges. Mix all three together. Then drink 3 tablespoons twice daily combined with honey. Within a time period of one month, my body was back to normal. That’s not all I did however, I started eating my largest meal at the beginning of each day. Which consisted of 1 medium-sized sliced cucumber, 1 medium-sized sliced tomato, 1 head of lettuce, approximately 3-4 tablespoons of my chosen carbohydrate, and 1 piece of my preferred protein. I also did my utmost to continue my daily, 3-mile walking routine.

Early one morning while lying comfortably in bed, I heard a man laughing. The decibels of his laughter increased in volume until it became so loud that my bed started to shake and vibrate. Then suddenly the sound disappeared as quickly as it had started. I knew this was a serious premonition of imminent danger ahead of me. However, I would have to wait patiently to find out what exactly it meant. At about 11:00 A.M., I heard my phone ringing, the person on the line was my physician. He was asking me to loan him 2000.00 GHS. He also assured me confidently that I would be fully refunded within a strict time period of 30 days. I reflected carefully for a few moments and recognized that this was the imminent danger of which I had been earlier forewarned. Thanks be the Ministry of The Holy Spirit, I was armed and ready. I simply answered, “Since I have already made some previous commitments it was impossible for me to shoulder such a responsibility at this time.”

This physician had decided to leverage his professional relationship with me to scam me. But he failed. About three weeks later I stopped by the drugstore once more. The pharmacist inquired if I had seen the physician who had first introduced me to him? My response was, “Not in a very long time.” Well said he, “I loaned him some money and since then I have neither seen him nor heard anything from him, and when I call him on the phone he doesn’t answer.” Sympathetically, I replied, “Sir, have you forgotten where you are? This is Ghana, borrowing other people’s money, under a false pretext, and then failing to repay it is standard protocol here.” There is invariably a price to pay for this kind of conduct for as we are warned in scripture, “Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.” Proverbs 21:6 (NKJV). Back in 2022, I ran into some young men who professed that they had some gold that they wanted to sell. We negotiated an equilibrium price and agreed upon a place for a meeting. The following day, they called out of the blue to advise me that the security forces had raided their site and confiscated their treasure. After that they asked me if I would be willing to give them the funds up front, to retrieve the gold. Which was presently located at the local police station.

Since I was well acquainted with the fact that many Ghanaians routinely pull all kinds of scams. I advised them that I would consider the matter and then get back to them. Nevertheless, I did not forget to pray and beg for divine guidance. The following morning while I was still in bed I heard a voice whispering, “Don’t believe them, it’s just a trick. They have no gold whatsoever. They are merely trying to rob you. Once you give them the money. They will disappear, and you will never hear from them again.” Aren’t we warned in God’s Word, “The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps?” Proverbs 14:15 (NKJV). That’s where our present location is, in this 21st-century world of modern civilization. No one knows who to trust because of widespread lies, treachery, fraud, and deception. Moreover, we are also counseled in sacred writ, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV).