Balm

But I will restore to you your health and heal your wounds.

Jeremiah 30:17

We know the general rules for good physical health: eat right, drink plenty of water, get enough rest, and exercise. But even if we keep all the rules, we’ll still get sick. Some of us might carry the burden of a chronic physical illness. When we’re physically ill, we seek the advice of a physician.

We have the same basic rules for good mental health: eat right, drink plenty of water, get enough rest, and exercise. But even if we keep all the rules, we might experience some type of mental health issue. But for some reason, some people believe the misconception that mental health issues are simply a spiritual health issue, and no physician can help.

Consider this: physicians and the medicine they prescribe are a blessing from God. The Old Testament refers to physicians as servants (Genesis 50:2), performing surgical procedures that are used at God’s command (Genesis 17:10–14). Proverbs 17:22 states that medicine can improve a person’s countenance. The New Testament echoes the sentiment with Jesus declaring the sick need a physician (Luke 5:31). Additionally, one of the Gospel writers, Luke, was a physician (Colossians 4:14).

God is the Great Physician. He alone understands how our body, mind, and soul work together. So why do we sometimes hesitate to seek help for our mental or spiritual challenges?

Whether the illness is physical or mental, healing comes from God, and he might use a person or medicine to accomplish his will. We might never know why some people experience a miraculous healing and others continue to search for relief. But with God as our strength, we can surrender, letting him do his work, his way, in his time.

There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole; there’s power enough in heaven, to cure the sin-sick soul.

African American Spiritual

His presence was somehow a balm on the open wound of my heart.

Jasinda Wilder

For Further Reflection

2 Kings 20:7; Matthew 9:12; Revelation 22:2

Today’s Prayer

Father, thank you for the men and women you have gifted to develop the many balms that bring some relief to many diseases. Please direct me in the ways I should go regarding physicians and medicines. I continue to pray for my healing whether through your divine work or a doctor. Amen.