Vital Signs Of Faith

Vital Signs Of Faith

Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up and went home! Matthew 9:2-7

Today’s verses are a great reminder for all health-care workers, myself included.

Before Jesus healed the paralyzed man’s physical body, he first took care of the man’s spiritual health by forgiving his sins. Only then did he fix the man’s seemingly useless legs.

In modern medicine, we often do the opposite. We take great care and skill in fixing people’s bodies, but we often don’t bother to take their spiritual vital signs. Do they believe in God? Do they have any experiences of his healing work in their lives? Are they afraid of death? Do they have a community of believers in their life praying for them?

We review their physical systems, and we ask how they’re doing mentally and emotionally. But we rarely delve any deeper than the obligatory religion check box on the registration form.

Certain religions have specific beliefs and restrictions about which health-care services they want or don’t want. If it weren’t for those deeply held beliefs, I’m not sure we’d even ask about religion. But what an oversight! A number of studies have shown that if patients are connected spiritually, their physical outcomes improve significantly; that is, it takes less time for them to heal and recover.

I think there’s a lesson for all of us in the story of Jesus’ healing of the paralyzed man. If we first care for the health of a person’s soul, the health of the body will follow.

TODAY’S RX

Check your spiritual vital signs today. Is your heart beating for God? Is the fire of faith burning in your belly? Has the blood of Jesus washed away the burden of your sins?

Father, there are seasons when my spiritual well-being goes unchecked, and I don’t take the steps needed to get well. Place it on my heart to pray and be in your Word during these times, so that my faith may continue to grow.