Medicine vs. trust/faith?
How do we balance trusting that God is control with seeking medical treatments? Some go to one extreme and declare any medicine as a lack of faith. Others go to the other extreme, and seek medical attention for absolutely everything, no matter how minor. Parents struggle with whether or not to vaccinate their children, or to trust God to protect their children. What is the balance?
Comment by Robert
An interesting question. I realize that there are times when one must seek a physician’s help. For instance, I had an illness three years ago which required me to take antibiotics for a few weeks – had I not taken them, dmagae could have been done to my body in that time. I know that God has given doctors and nurses talents to help them diagnose and treat illnesses.
However, I view life as a gift from God. I try to live a healthy life and look after my body by exercising, eating well, drinking healthy drinks, etc.
I guess that my view is that the balance may be tricky for some, but I would say try to live a healthy life and have a healthy diet and exercise, but be thankful for the fact that God has given men and women the brains to pursue careers in medicine where they can use their talents to help others get well or prevent illnesses. I think it is okay for people to seek treatment for an illness.
Comment by Douglas Summers
This is a test.
Comment by Marie
I believe that not only is medicine okay, but God ordained. I believe that God calls people to be doctors and tend to the needs of His flock. God used Luke, a Greek doctor, to write two of the books in the New Testament; Luke and Acts.
I believe that people ignore the basic common sense God gives them when they choose not to use modern medicine. Worse yet is when people put their children’s lives at risk because they choose not to use the resource God has given us in doctors.
I cannot fathom watching my child die because I imposed my belief on my child.
How can a parent watch their daughter or son die right in front of them, when if they had just taken them to a doctor they would be alive and well?
If God thought ill of medicine He would have scolded the woman with the issue of blood for seeking the help of doctors.
Comment by Child of the King
I believe everyone needs to seek God first.
God wants us to first and foremost to put our Faith in him (Hebrews 11 v 6)
By the same token if we have something suddenly happen to us (Serious Accident/Stroke/Heart attack) And help is quickly needed then by all means get Medical Attention ASAP. In cases where a Diagnosis is given and we are given some time to act on the Diagnosis then Prayer should go up to God First as a sign of Our Faith and Trust in God.
Every situation is different and We need to Ask ourselves how long should I wait on God before I get needed treatment.
God gives The Knowledge to Doctors and others so It is not wrong to seek Medical Attention if you are still trusting and beleiving in God.
Comment by Douglas Summers
Hi,
In the beginning, God told man to “Be fruitful and Multiply and fill the earth, and SUBDUE IT.”
This gives man the responsibility for the discovery of the science of things……including medeicine. I’m sure God had put everything in man’s environment that was needed for all things.
Some believe that we don’t have enough faith to heal ourselves, But there are two kinds of faith: Human faith, called wishful thinking….and faith in God…from God.
God does not heal everyone at their request….He told Paul that His Grace was good enough for him. I understand this, It is more precious than Gold. Peace in God is the greater medeicine.
In Christ
Doug
Comment by Douglas Summers
Hi Child of the King.
What does Child of the King mean?
In Christ
Doug
Comment by Child of the King
Doug
Simply put it just means I am a Child of God (King of Kings)
I thought it not robbery to use that username as a true Born Again Christian. Thanks for your Inquiry..Have a Blessed Day!
Comment by Grandpa EC
I appreciate thoughts shared above by each of the other bloggers, but I especially appreciate Robert’s in Comment 1.
My own vocation was in the medical field, and I appreciate its contributions to health while also understanding its limitations.
I am not my own but was bought with a price, and I want to be a good steward of everything God has entrusted to me.
Comment by BethAnn
Hi and I just love reading everyone’s comments and hearing everyone’s perspectives! I think many in the medical field will be the first to say they’re not God. It’s not just medicine they are able to help with, but many are truly drawn to the profession to be a help to others and feel as though they make a difference in giving peace and reassurance and encouragement, sometimes in the final days of people’s lives. I think God is in control if I live or die in a car accident but I still wear my seatbelt. I know that’s semi-off-topic but kind of the same idea.
I think of that old story of the man who fell off a cliff and was dangling by a limb and he asked God to save him. A man came with a rope to get him and the man told him no, he was waiting for God to save him; then a helicopter dropped a ladder for him to get on and the man told him no, he was waiting for God to save him, etc. Then he fell to his death and when he got to Heaven he asked God why he didn’t save him when he was hanging there. God told him that he sent him a man with a rope and a helicopter and He did try to save him! I know that’s just a silly story, but kind of a good illustration that God helps us through one another. I kind of think if we’re in constant contact with Him and seek Him, we’ll know by how we feel if we’re doing the right thing in seeking others.
You all are AWESOME – I love reading encouragement by other Christians!
Comment by Anonymous
God cannot be put in test tube. When look at the healings and miracles though out the Bible, you will find out God or Jesus did not heal person twice the same way.
If God wants to use a doctor he will, if want heal a person instantly he will, its God will. We do not know the future, God may allow you to fill ill to get you to the doctors office to share with a person that needs to hear the message of the gospel.
I feel that persons you try use faith healing only are putting God in test tube, that God can only do things in some kind of formula. These persons need go through the Bible they will find out God will not do things in a set way.
Comment by Anonymous
BethAnn trust me you are awesome too, I loved what you shared and how you shared it thank you! I myself have discovered that the most amazing Christians comment here. God is here in a powerful and loving way, so welcome!! I am Mimi by the way, haha.
Marie, I also loved how you worded things being a mother your comment really made sense to me.
Of course I love everyone elses too, and Grampa EC you are so cute!
Funny this is the topic, when I am struggling with this very issue.
I think Balance is always the best way.
I agree with Marie, I believe 100% that God ordained Medicine. I believe God provides us with our needs and that he wants us to use what he has given us to help heal our bodies. If my best friend would have gotten chemo. she would be in a much better place than she is now. Her mistrust for the medical field and her concern about her immune system made her write her own prescription for health, she went against her doctor’s advice. Now she is dieing and there isn’t a second chance to do it right. Balance is so important, seek out what the medical community can do for you, educate yourself and make wise decisions based on solid medical advice, never write your own prescription, it can cost you your life.
Comment by Hank
I can not find anywhere in the Bible that its say we are not to
trust medicines and natural cures, but only in pure faith and trust
we will be cured. As I read the Old Testament I find many topics
on illness and what God tells them what to do about them. So much of these thoughts are no more than a big lack of understanding of the omni and holy characteristics of God and what the Word of God is saying and how He works. God is the source of all knowledge, no matter what field of study we are talking about. There is no whole school of knowledge and wisdom floating around out there just waiting to be discovered. Those who teach not to use doctors and
medicines are being deceived and shows a lack of faith and trust
in an omniscience God.
Hank
Comment by Mimi
So true Hank, so true!
Comment by ceseeley
God is the guide, we are the guided. Terrible things have happened with medicine, remember Thalidomide, or the possible correlation between Autism and mercury in children’s vaccines or all the side effects with drugs being superseded by all the money that could be made. On the other hand Polio, Malaria, Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox etc. have been almost entirely wiped out in America. So, since God wants to guide us and He Love us and wants His best for us, why not seek His Medical advise first along with any other advice, in other words wait for His guidance in every decision and situation, give Him the Glory because that is what He wants because it draws other people to Him so that He can bless them too. God will create the balance in one’s decision making … be open and flexible to His Guidance!
Comment by Mimi
Excellent comment ceseeley!
Comment by ceseeley
The Bible says that we are not to defile our Holy Temple or any other person’s Holy Temple for that matter. This is the very reason why we are so dependent on God for His guidance in taking care of our Holy Temple because He will guide us to His/the best solution for our Holy Temple if it is having a problem.
Comment by Child of the King
Just a thought…Defiling our temple (Body) also includes Cigarettes…Alcohol…Illicit Drugs…Getting Tatoos…Getting Plastic Surgery to have a better looking Nose..Chin..For Vanity’s sake. I do believe however if someone is disfiqured in an accident or born with a cleft palate etc that is not wrong to have a surgeon correct it.
Comment by Mimi
Very good Point, Child of the King. I had gotten a tatoo when I was 19 years old by a Born Again Biker. He really didn’t want to draw the small rose that I was going to receive, well I did it for a friend at the time who wanted a tatoo and was determined to get one. She asked me to get one and to go first, dummy me I did. Well now I have a small rose and it is just the outline, I never got it colored in. But that night I cried and felt great guilt, when I got home. I wasn’t a Christian at all, I didn’t have a clue who Jesus was at that time. But funny thing the Biker was my friends boyfriend and he had tatoos up and down his arms and here he was trying to tell us that our body is the Temple Of God..and that the only reason he would give us the tatoos was because he didn’t want us to go somewhere else and get ink poising. But he really tried to talk us out of it. Well needless to say my friend chickened out and here I was stuck with this stupid outline and I never wanted the darn thing to begin with. To this day, I regret it some 31 years later. I don’t believe in Tatoos. I should of listened to the Born Again Biker, he really knew what he was saying and I knew he was trying to follow the Lord. He was right our body is the TEMPLE OF GOD, therefore I am opposed to tatoos. Platic surgery unless needed for correction, I think the vanity is the Devil’s Door. Honestly I quiet listening to a Christian Radio Sattion that had lead me to the Lord many many years ago, WHY? Because of what they ADVERTISE. Breast enlargements, plastic surgery and more and they even had a DJ talking about tatoos, what??? I switched over to a secular station, I listen to my son’s station, yes I need to get more middle of the road, but at least we agree on what music to listen to, haha.
Comment by Child of the King
Mimi
For Reference regarding tatoos read this scripture;
Leviticus 19 v 28 “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead,nor print any marks upon you: I Am The Lord”. I also got a tatoo on my forearm during Navy Bootcamp years ago. At 18 I thought it was really Cool not knowing The Lord. When I got home on leave my Mom cried when she saw it. I promised her I would’nt get anymore and never did. It’s really a dumb thing to do.
I see these young people especially the girls with all these tatoos on their necks and backs arks etc. One Day they all are going to wish they never had gotton them.
I wear long sleeve shirts even in summer I don’t want it to be seen LOL.
Comment by Anonymous
There a minister use to say this; “blessed is the flexible, for shall not be broken.”
Comment by Mimi
Child of the King, I completely understand. How easily we are decieved to think we want something we really don’t. But to have a Christian Radio Station Run the adds they do WMUZ, Detroit) and for the DJ to talk about tatoos like they are perfectly normal, really disgusting. That is some good scripture. Ya know what it is okay, your tatoos. Don’t worry it is part of you and your life. Your tatoos and hardships only made a path for God, so be it. Yes your mother cried, but that is because she loves you. So learn and be better, right. All the emotional crap my father put me through only made me that much more compassionate. I am at a point in my life (50), that at times I don’t come across as very Christian and I even swear on purpose just for an expression and the laugher that comes from others because they are so suprised! I say I did it on purpose that word just didn’t slip, I needed to say it so I did. And for some reason, I seem more human, more approachable, more real, I don’t know what it is, but lately that is who I am. Thank God for ceseeley and you and Grampa EC, and Debbie, Hank, and Douglas and many others. Because I am not sure where I would be. Thank God GQ keeps me grounded. After all the Lord has his work cut out having to deal with me, haha.
Comment by Mimi
Child of the king, by the way I really think that is the scripture that the Born Again Biker quoted when trying to talk me out of getting the tatoo. Now isn’t that something.
Comment by Child of the King
Mimi
Good Points. What happned before I came to God and was symbolically covered in his blood does not concern me today. I was spiritually Ignorant back then. All of us are daily being bombarded with things spiritually and carnally wrong. We must discern what is God’s Will and not necessarily what we want to do. (Jeremiah 10 v 23).
Let God direct our steps and we’ll come out the Winners. Lord richly bless you….
Comment by Mimi
Child of the King you are so right and that is perfect scripture to back up what you have said. I am sorry that I haven’t added some scripture here myself. However I often times can feel when I have been stirred by the Holy Spirit, I just feel more connected to God at this time and that I gain insights that aren’t my own, if you know what I mean. I just really feel that God shows me things sometimes..like how he can take our past mistakes, failures and dissapointments and he can take them away and clean us all up. Then he will use them to teach us, to guide us and make us whole. He will let us remember why we don’t want to repeat those past mistakes. But through them we are more human than ever and that is why he loves us so. I have no idea what has gotten into me the last couple of days, but I am feeling really poetic…I think I have needed to express things within because of what I am going through with my best friend. Gosh I feel like I am talking a lot, but I hope that what I have said makes sense and helps. I know the scripture that you have shared has been right on target. I have always talked to the Lord in a real way, because. I talked with him all my life before I ever knew him biblically. I guess my Jewish, Born Again, Catholic Faith makes me a little different. And now I am rediscovering my faith all over again, oh e vey, haha. Nice talking with you, Child of the King. God Bless You, Mimi
Comment by LayPreacher
As I browse through the comments on this thread, it seems some have gotten off on a rabbit trail. I don’t see much of a connection between whether or not we should take medicine and whether or not a Christian ought to have any tattoos (I have a cross tattooed on my arm). But let me put my two cents’ worth in by saying I believe it is appropriate to use medicine and medical treatments, as advised by a physician, and to do so, trusting God to use such medicine and treatment to bring healing.
As a side note, I once heard of a televangelist who was contacted by a viewer who had been diagnosed with cancer. The televangelist told her not to go see a doctor for treatment. Instead, he promised her that if she would exercise her faith in God by sending him money, then God would cure her cancer. She listened to him, and over the next several months, sent him several hundred (perhaps even several thousand) dollars. In due time, her cancer got so bad, she had no choice but to go to a doctor. At that time, the doctor said, “If you had come to me a long time ago, we could have operated or given you treatment, and you probably would’ve recovered. But because you waited so long, there’s nothing I can do for you.” Not long after, the woman died of cancer. After her death, her family sued the televangelist for all the money she had sent him…and won.
To refuse medical treatment, on account of simply trusting God, is foolish.
Comment by Child of the King
Lay Preacher
I agree with your view we should seek Medical Help when needed. In Poor countries however people have to trust The Lord and Home remedies because they lack the financial means.
They don’t have nor could they afford Medical Insurance or even to buy the Medicine unless by a miracle it is paid for or done through charity.
We here in America should always be grateful we have Great Medical Care and money to get it…..
Comment by Mimi
Lay Preacher and Child of the King, AMEN!
Comment by BethAnn
Sorry but I just had to pipe this in…Mimi, you’re a hoot! ? All these commenters are so awesome, even when they disagree because they’re all passionate about their stance.
Comment by BethAnn
So sorry, that question mark above is supposed to be a smiley face and it didn’t turn out – it turned into a question mark when I posted it. I know, blog moderator, you’re shaking your head wondering how we got SO off topic!! Have a good day ~
Comment by ceseeley
All;
I don’t think we are off topic at all, we are fellowshipping and helping one another and the topics just stimulate that. If it wasn’t for the topics some of these things wouldn’t come out and we couldn’t help one another. Lets not become legalistic about this whole thing!
Comment by Child of the King
Over The years I have seen many of these “TV Evangelists” you mentioned. They’re main goal is to seperate people from their money. Jim + Tammy Bakker come to mind. Another is/Was the “Rev. Ike”. Ike was a black preacher who preached wealth to the poor. I remember he used to come on TV driving on stage in his Chauffer driven White Rolls Royce. He’d get out wearing a White Fur Coat…White Suit..White Top Hat. He’d grab the Microphone and say; “I don’t preach about no Ghetto..I preach how y’all can get MO.”!!
He was the Fifties/Sixties version of Today’s Power Ball Lotto before any state ever had it!
I heard he’s on Times Square running a Church still scamming everyone.
The Lake of Fire will be filled with these servants of Satan. Instead of being “Shepherds” They are Sheep-Dealers!
Oral Roberts got famous by having people come up to the stage on TV laying hands and they’d jump out of Wheelchairs and run around. The Gullible eating it up. Oral Roberts could sell an Eskimo a Deep-Freezer. He got on TV several years ago cried and told his TV audience his Oral Roberts University was going under financially. He said The Lord told him if he could get 3 Mil The Lord said he’d make sure he never would go under ever. Some Rich Guy in Florida watched this and pledged 7 Mil.
See what I mean? These people have they’re reward…but it won’t be pretty when they see what it’s going to be…LOL
Comment by Mimi
BethAnn I really like you! Thanks, Leslie who use to come here more thinks I am a hoot too, I appreciate the compliment!! Oh and your question mark, I will see as a smiley, okay, haha. BethAnn, I have also enjoyed what you share with all of us, thanks!:), see a smiley not a question marK, ha, ha!!
ceseeley, you have helped me so much!! what you said in comment 30 is so true, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! You are my brother in the Lord and I love you!!!!!!
Child of the King, I am also getting a lot from your comments, keep them coming!
Anonymous, I really think what you shared “There a minister use to say this; “blessed is the flexible, for shall not be broken.”
is so cool and so easy to apply and remember, I really got a light bulb moment from it, thank you and I plan to keep the light bulb on, really good stuff!
#1 Robert I got a lot from you too!
OKAY LET’S FACE IT FOLKS GOD IS DOING A GOOD WORK HERE THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, THANK YOU LORD…I SEND MY KISSESSXX AND HUGS OO. TO THANK YOU FOR EACH AND EVERY COMMENT WRITTEN HERE AND FOR THE BEAUTIFUL SOULS THAT COME TOGETHER ON YOUR BEHALF. THANKS FOR MAKING A MEETING PLACE SO THAT WE COULD COME TOGETHER AND ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER IN YOUR NAME!
JOHN21:18
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” SOMETIMES EVEN AS BELIEVERS WE STILL NEED TO BE LED, WE MAY THINK WE DON’T, BUT WE DO, NO MATTER WHAT AGE WE BECOME. AT LEAST THAT IS TRUE FOR ME!
GOD BLESS, MIMI
Comment by Margaret Miller
I think it is very important to follow your doctor’s instructions. Health isn’t something to play with. I do thank God for my health everyday, we all should.