Faith Healing

Working in healthcare we put a lot of trust in science and medicine and evidence. These are things that have been studied, and observed and generally give reproducible results. The field of medicine is a beautiful body of knowledge and resources available to us through the study and observation and work of generations of healers, scientists, and physicians who have dedicated their lives to relieve pain and disease. And given by God.

So how do we incorporate the idea of prayer and faith and petition to God into our medicine cabinets and doctor bags? This is a question that keeps coming up in my mind. As a Christian physician, I wrestle with the two worlds of medicine and faith. Am I giving my patients the best of both worlds? Am I relying too heavily on one over the other? Are they really two worlds?

This week a patient of mine came in for follow-up of her diabetes. She's a strong Christian woman who has a lot on her plate. She is widowed and cares for her only child--a grown daughter who has several disabilities. She came in last August with a severe foot infection after stepping on a nail. We referred her to the hospital for care and never heard back from her. She said she went for another opinion and the doctor told her the same thing. But she never went to the hospital because she didn't have anyone to look after her daughter. She prayed and pleaded for God to heal her. 

And he did. 

Her foot looked great and only had a slightly darkened area where the abscess had been. She was very matter-of-fact, like she had seen this before. I was pretty surprised. We talked about her blood sugar control and she asked for a refill of her meds. We prayed and thanked God for his healing and for the medications. She said she would be back next month. 

I'm not advocating shunning medicine, nor any of the other advances in civilization like vehicles or plastics or commercially made clothing. But we can't put all of our faith in science and technology alone. Working with people who don't have a lot of financial resources has taught me that evidence-based medicine is a luxury a lot of times. And God works fluidly inside and outside the limits of science and limited means. 

Like this patient, I want to learn to use all of the tools given to us by the Creator. He is the one who gives us life, oxygen, water, plants and animals for food and medicine, our intelligence to figure things out, antibiotics, diabetic medications, our surgical skills, etc.  He is the one who cares for us and knows what our earthly bodies need. He is the creator of all things in this world, is all-knowing and all-powerful. He has given us evidence of his existence in his creation. So why not consult God in our treatment plan?

In what other areas should we be consulting God? Are we trusting him to provide? Are we living our lives seeking the Kingdom of God? Are we remembering that he already knows what we need?

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. Psalm 139:13-14

…but your heavenly Father already knows all of your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:32-33

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Mark 10:27