A Pill And A Prayer Are Both Good Medicine

A Pill And A Prayer Are Both Good Medicine

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. Proverbs 17:22

“No matter what I do, I’m tired all the time,” Beth said. “Even when I try, I can’t seem to get up before noon. What do you think is causing all of this? Last night, I was looking at my symptoms on the Internet, and it kept saying that tiredness could be caused by a problem with my thyroid or that I could be anemic. Do you think that’s the case?”

Beth looked worried. She also looked tired. “We’ll do some blood work to assess those possibilities,” I promised. “But first, start by telling me about your sleep habits.”

“Usually, I go to sleep around midnight or one, but most nights I can’t fall asleep, so I get back up and try to do something until I get tired.”

“What else is going on in your life?”

“I don’t know. I feel as if all I do is worry about what’s going to happen next. They’re laying people off at my husband’s workplace, and I’m afraid he could be next. When he’s under stress, he doesn’t take good care of himself, so I worry about his health. The kids haven’t been doing very well in school, and my mom hasn’t been feeling well. Also, next month I’ll be working a lot of overtime—and I’m not looking forward to that.”

I was starting to get the picture. Though Beth was certainly busy, there was a lot more going on with her emotionally—and her anxiety was keeping her awake at night. Her fatigue was probably not due to a physical cause but rather a worried heart and broken spirit.

As promised, I ordered some tests and lab work, and it all came back perfect, as I had anticipated. After I explained to Beth that there didn’t seem to be a physical cause for her exhaustion, we discussed some options for dealing with her anxiety. She decided to try medication and prayer.

Within two months, I could see the positive results of both. I knew she was on the mend when she bounded into my office and started talking about all of the great things the Lord was doing in her life.

TODAY’S RX

When worry and the cares of the world break your spirit, turn to the Lord to find joy, hope, and peace.

From day to day, God, there are always new concerns and worries. Be with me when my heart panics and my thoughts become a jumble. Calm me with the truth of your Word, and help me to remember how you’ve always been faithful in the past.