Jeremiah 8:21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
This passage of scripture asks a question that pertains to all those who have taken the name of Christ, for it speaks to our health, and the healing of the various diseases with which we suffer. Now it is true that in some cases, such as Hezekiah, it is not God's will that a person's life be extended, but if we are permitted to keep on living, then the above passage questions us as to the quality of life we should be experiencing. Long years of debilitating sickness, by which a person is incapacitated and not able to walk, think, eat or speak for themselves, is not generally God's will for His people, for according to the examples given in the scriptures, health and longevity, and quality of life can be the experiences of those who trust in God, and who follow the laws of health, even to our most senior years.
However, in an attempt to cure our diseases, and to live healthy lives, we must be wary of a type of medicinal healing which eliminates the God-factor, for there are many such methods available today, and many Christians have inadvertently bought into the scientific concepts, thereby leaving God out of the picture. For medicine to work properly, it must be practiced and implemented in harmony with the laws of health and healing that God has ordained in His word, incorporating the vital elements such as trust in God, water, sunshine, exercise, proper diet, adequate rest, and not eating between meals.
But medicine that only includes drugs and other synthetic products, without the God factor, and without compliance to the scriptural instructions, are doomed to fail sooner or later, for the effect of such treatment is generally temporary in nature, and tends to lessen the quality of life, by those individuals who trust in such methods. This fact can be ascertained by the many recalls of drugs, and the thousands of lawsuits now pending against drug companies, which initially touted the virtues of certain products, but were afterward forced to recant their lofty claims. Here are just a few current examples. Let's read:
Actonel, Avandia, Chantix, xarelto, Crestor, Fosamax, Humira, Levaquin, Plavix, Pradaxa, Nuvaring, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Topamax, zoloft, zicam, and Ocella, amongst many others.
Unfortunately, all of these drugs have side effects, some of which are serious and even fatal, so that what is taking place here, is that some good is being done in one area, whilst detrimental effects are being produced in other areas, very much like eating from the tree of good and evil. It is worthy of observation that the symbol used for man-made medicine is a serpent, which causes questions to arise in our minds as to why. The following are just some of the adverse side effects of the aforementioned drugs which were once touted as beneficial medicines. Let's read:
Heart attack, Stroke, Pulmonary embolism, Blood clots, Gallbladder disease, Sudden death, · Menstrual bleeding between cycles, Vaginal discharge, Yeast infections, Headaches Decrease in sexual activity, Weight gain, Nausea and vomiting, Abdominal pain, and Decreased appetite. Now, when we compare or contrast these adverse side effects, with the medicine and healing Christ administered, we see a world of difference, which should then cause every intelligent person to reason from cause to effect, and thus make the wise decision to follow through with God's plan of action, in the areas of medicine, health, and wellness. Let's read:
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
There is not one instance in the Bible where Jesus healed someone, and they ended up with "Adverse" side effects, no not one. It therefore behooves us to incorporate the God-factor in our medicine and healing programs, for if we were to work in harmony with His laws, principles, and methods, we would see glowing results, whereas now we often see failures and a host of unintended consequences. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to turn to God in the area of medicine and healing, for our health means very much to Him. Let's read:
3rd John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!