3rd John 1: 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.
God has blessed the human family with an increase in knowledge and understanding pertaining to how the human body works, and responds to different stimuli. As a result of this dramatic increase in the various fields of medicine, an industry which caters to the ongoing need for medicines has sprung up.
Meds are used in so many important operations and situations that they have become indispensable to millions of people. In fact, about 67 percent of all persons living in The United States are on some type Meds. That amounts to about 232 million people as of the latest statistics.
In many instances, persons are dependent on meds to live, while in other cases, meds are used to bring about mental equilibrium because of some inherent imbalances that exist.
Thus, the pharmaceutical and drug industries have ballooned, close to a trillion dollars, and is expected to keep on climbing, as the population is faced with increasing diseases, and perils, coming in from all directions.
Therefore, as with everything else, we want to know what God’s will is in our particular situations, so that the use of meds can be managed prudently. As the masses of people seek for solutions, and relief from a host of different medical conditions, it is wise for us to consider what we do, and the decisions which we make.
Whatsoever you do, and whatsoever you might be advised to do, we should remember that our bodies are the temple of The Holy Spirit, and as such there will be a close sympathy between the physical and the spiritual aspects of our being.
The condition of the mind can be adversely affected by the condition of the body, and vice versa, thus, if it becomes necessary to use meds on a long-term basis, thorough investigation should be made as to how those drugs will affect you, and if long term use might precipitate other conditions that you may not currently suffer with.
The extended use of some meds could take a toll on the kidneys and other vital organs therefore our due diligence in researching what the long-term benefits or adverse consequences may be, should be done in most situations.
There are times when because of some emergency or unexpected turn of events, persons might be put on certain meds to stave of death for a while. These instances may not always afford you a choice in the matter, where you can count the cost, by weighing the pros and cons before proceeding.
Medical conditions, emergencies and many ongoing treatments are not always monolithic, therefore you may be prescribed a sort of tailormade regimen to suit the situation you are in. Whatever might be the issue in most cases there would be long term effects from taking meds, and there are short term effects also.
In addition, there are certain situations, especially when dealing with chronic pain, where the dosages have to be increased incrementally over a period of time, since the body no longer responds positively to the former, smaller dosages.
This creates an ongoing dependence on pain killers and as larger and more potent dosages are taken as prescribed the body keeps on adapting until it could reach a point where it doesn’t respond at all, to any drug, or to any dose, because over a period of time, of extended use the brain can become desensitized.
When this becomes the case, the person could find themselves in an unfortunate situation, where there is constant pain, and discomfort disturbing the body continually, with relief becoming ever more out of reach.
Lower back pain, and joint pain often become more frequent and intense with age, which leads to pain killers as a go to source for relief. Due caution must be exercised when dealing with chronic pain, for if it is the case that strong pain killers are prescribed, it will be prudent and wise to inquire about the long- term effects on mind and body.
Strong pain killers, such as Oxycodone and Fentanyl are notorious for training your brain to crave more, and more of the drug. Over a period of time, with increased dosages, and an increase in frequency of use, persons could become addicted, and when this is the case you could find yourself trapped in a cycle from which there is little hope of escape.
Thus, although meds do serve many good purposes when used rightly, prudence and wisdom, together with a good understanding of causes, and effect will pave the way for sound decision making, so that, if at all possible, persons could avoid being hooked on meds for life.
Therefore, before we get into the Bible study, there are a few instructions God would have us consider, as we try to mitigate and address diseases, medical and physical issues, and treatment and cures. Often, good permanent results may seem to be elusive but with good instruction and practice a better state of being could be achieved, in many cases.
[1] Whenever you have a health issue that needs to be taken care of, it is highly recommended that you consult with The Great Physician first, wherever this is possible, before proceeding.
God honors the disposition to put Him first and not last in our decision making, and in doing so, He can go before us to clear the field of unforeseen issues we were not expecting. In other words, you would never go wrong with prayer, for it paves the way for God to intervene in our behalf, if needed.
[2] Whenever there’s a medical condition, or health problem to confront, try to ascertain the root cause before diving headlong into the drug arena.
We are living in an age where symptoms are often the focus of treatment, leaving the root cause of the problem untouched. Thus, the mere masking of the underlying health issues, by popping pills, will leave the real problem untreated.
For instance, if you have a headache, it might not be an aspirin or an Ibuprofen that you need. It may be something as simple as a good night’s rest. In some instances, the cause was cow’s milk, and there are a number of cases where milk was removed from the diet and the migraine headache ceased immediately and never ever returned.
If the individual is struggling with constant migraine headaches, which could be very difficult to bear, the cause should be ascertained, for the headache itself is not the real problem, it is just a symptom of some deeper issue that needs attention.
One way of finding the root cause is by the process of elimination, whereby certain suspects foods are removed from the diet for some time, while careful observation is made to see if there is relief from the issue.
A lack of adequate sleep is known to cause ongoing headaches, and it should be addressed at the roots. Popping an Aspirin, or Ibuprofen may in some cases instances bring temporary relief, with side effects in tow. There is no such thing as taking drugs, without any side effects.
However, if the root cause of insufficient quality rest is not addressed, you will find yourself at the mercy of big pharma, as the symptoms are treated, while leaving the root cause unaddressed. It is the will of God that we seek to address the root causes of the medical, or health conditions, and choose the path that is more aligned with prevention rather than the cure.
Many Christians are woefully deficit in sleep, and if the root cause is not addressed and corrected, it will lead to more serious problems in the future. Thus, if Saturday Night live is causing you to stay up late and you are losing your zees as a result, you know what course to pursue.
[3] Read the labels carefully, especially the fine print that you could barely see, even with a magnifying glass, and the words in smaller letters, which often run on the bottom of your TV screen.
Advertisements for meds are structured so that the benefits take precedence in the presentation, over the adverse side effects. That’s just the name of the game. Many people are jumping on the Wegovy and Ozempic, and Mounjaro bandwagons without doing due diligence in finding out if there will be long term effects that should concern you.
If any person is struggling with obesity, it is good to lose the extra pounds, but a lifestyle change would be much better than doing injections once a week, for any extended period of time. It is a good idea to take time, and do your research before going on any regimen for life.
The reason for this is that if and when persons stop taking GLPs, there is one question that will confront them: Where do we go from here, in keeping weight off, and in check. Without a positive lifestyle change there would most likely be a relapse, because habits and practice were not addressed.
Even if persons were to get a jumpstart from any of the popular GLP’s now available, a well thought out lifestyle change should also be incorporated so that you do not become permanently dependent on the drug in question. In fact, the end goal should always be to get off of meds as quickly as possible, if and where it is possible.
[4] Consider the long-term effects and if the meds in question may adversely affect your vital organs.
There are certain vital organs in the body that you want to preserve in tip top shape, for as long as is possible. Therefore, if certain meds are known to adversely affect the kidneys, pancreas, heart, lungs, the liver, or the brain, much caution, and prudence should be exercised.
In some unfortunate circumstances, the long-term damage may not be able to be repaired, and you’ll find yourself in a bind, hoping and searching for the vital organ, which in most cases would require some additional meds for life, and thus the cycle of drug dependence continues permanently.
If your kidneys were to fail, you may have to wait a number of years to get a donor kidney, and if and when you do, immunosuppressants will be needed for the rest of your life. This in turn will impair your immune system, and will make you vulnerable to a number of other conditions, thus requiring even more meds.
[5] Consider the effects on your immune system, for this is the body’s natural defense mechanism, and if it is compromised by the use of drugs, there could be adverse consequences down the road.
We are living at a time when it is becoming more and more difficult to trust the information coming from certain health officials, who too often will put politics before your well-being. There are diseases circulating currently of which hardly any mention is made, because doing so would not make for a good look politically.
An example of placing politics before wellbeing can be seen in the report recently released in New York about the air quality from the 9/11 attacks, which was studiously concealed from public view, while at the same time many people were dying and are still dying.
Whenever advertisements are made in this era of deregulation, persons would have to do their own research, like the old Bereans, to find out whether or not those things are so, because protecting your immune system is critically important to health and wellbeing.
[6] Inquire about the effect the drug would have on your mind, if any, such as suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, and hallucinations, moodiness and any anger tantrums.
Any mind-altering drugs or medications should be approached with caution, since the mind is the seat of intelligence. Thus, if it can be avoided, you do not want your thought processes to be interfered with. That’s one of the problems with ganja, better known as the herb, because it messes with your mind.
The Christian should have his, or her mind closely guarded because that’s where decisions are made. In more and more instances, we’re hearing of mind- altering drugs, driving people to do the unthinkable.
[6] Wherever possible, plan an exit strategy so that you can avoid becoming permanently dependent on the drugs in question.
[7] When all else fails and you have done all you can to engage the best possible and least harmful route, remember that there is a God in the heavens.
This leads us to our study of the woman who had an ongoing medical issue for many years and who tried everything and everyone she possibly could, to have the condition rectified, but to no avail. In her case, the physicians who treated her, most likely did their very best with the available knowledge and cures at their disposal.
Folks who work in the medical field would often be trained in modes of thought and action that are the standard of the industry, at any given time and, will make recommendations, or administer remedies or cures that are current. And that’s all well and good, for we cannot reasonably expect them to prescribe regimens or mitigations they do not know of.
For instance, if, like the woman in the story, you had some issue of constant bleeding, your primary care doctor will not recommend that you touch the hem of someone’s garment, to have the issue resolved. It will be unreasonable to expect the doctor to make a recommendation or prescription like that.
Instead, the physician in question would most likely prescribe what was learned in medical school, and whatsoever the standard of the industry is at that time.
Again, if someone were to come down with leprosy, especially in Florida where there is an uptick in the number of cases, no doctor in their right mind will prescribe that you dip somewhere in the everglades seven times. Basically, not happening.
Therefore, as a last resort, when all else fails, we can turn to the One who made us, The One who can use both conventional, and alternative ways and means to get the job done. Even though it might seem very farfetched in our day, Jesus can still fix it, whatever your it may be. Let’s read:
Mark 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
26 And had suffered many things of many physicians and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
So, we are going to focus on this specific point, of a last resort, when all else fails. There you are in your particular medical situation, where you have tried everything in the book, and outside of the book and nothing seems to be working.
Like the woman in the narrative, you may have gone to numerous different doctors and different facilities and they have done the very best they can, with the knowledge available, and yet, for some reason, the cure just seems to be evading you. What do you do?
The story of the woman with the issue of blood tells us that we have a refuge in Jesus, when all else fails, so that the seemingly impossible could become the reality in our situation. Of course, the healing would be according to His good will, but we’re just looking at the mere possibility, when all else fails.
After you have done all that you possibly can, when you’ve conscientiously walked in all of the light that has been shed on our pathway through the health message, and after you have exhausted every viable source and resource in seeking deliverance from the medical situation that has got you down, there is a refuge in Christ.
In His capacity as the Great Physician and Mighty healer He’s still in the business of restoring to health and wellbeing, those who trust Him, even if He may employ unconventional ways and means that aren’t known to the medical community.
Especially as we’re headed for unchartered territory, where paying for health insurance is fast becoming out of reach for many persons, and some are being forced to ween themselves off of the conventional systems we have become accustomed to; the last resort found in Christ alone will become a viable option, more and more.
In fact, the time will come, probably sooner rather later, when the remnant people of God will not have any access to meds of any kind, and then, that last resort in the narrative will become our first resource according to what is written. Let’s read:
Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most-High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely, he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
[Last Day Events pp 169] Miracles will accompany the ministry of God’s people under the loud cry, but they won’t have the significance they did in Christ’s day, for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles.
Now, we must not throw out the baby with the bath water because until the end of time, Jesus Christ has promised to work in behalf of His people. That is included in the statement which says: “At that time Michael shall stand up”.
Therefore, just because the prince of darkness will be working miracles, it does not mean that God’s hands are tied, for if the Christian in our day finds himself with his back against the wall with a medical condition that cannot be resolved by mortals, there is still A God in the heavens who hears and answers prayers.
Many within the remnant community will discover that we will have to learn to depend on God, much more than we currently do, especially as it pertains to health issues, because, to those who will stand the test of crunch time, the systems of earth will give way to the miraculous, sooner or later.
The Elijah message, which is so often spoken of in Adventist circles, includes experiences of faith and trust that some are not now accustomed to. At the brook Cherith, there was no Medicaid or Medicare available, no pharmacy with meds if Elijah needed, and his food and drink, and everything that pertains to life were all supplied by God alone.
We should now be availing ourselves of those often opportunities God gives us to walk by faith, learning the all-important lesson of trusting in Jesus alone. Yes, it is true, that while time lasts, we might access those conventional ways and means we’ve become so accustomed to over the years.
However, the Christian should also bear in mind that great changes are on the way, and that which we’ve known and done for years, will be upended. Faith in God alone takes time and practice, and thus, if you are currently on meds, on an ongoing basis, please consider the last resort, when all else fails, for you never know, God may leave a blessing at your front door.
We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that will help us to remember that there is an option of last resort in God, and we will encourage all those who have health and medical issues to turn to Him, when all else fails. Let read:
Psalms 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
3 Who forgives all thine iniquities; who heals all thy diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfies thy mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
God Bless!