In recent times, one of the main tools Satan is using to fight God’s agenda and purpose in this fallen world is sickness. This is why I believe that although there have been significant improvements in the field of Public Health and Healthcare, there is no denying the rise of diseases, ailments, and previously unknown sicknesses on our planet, according to the 2022 WHO statistics.
In Job’s account of his trials in Job chapters 1 to 3, Satan attacks his possessions and then his health. However, we read and come to understand that the attack that caused him physical, emotional, and spiritual misery was the attack on his health.
“Satan replied to the LORD, ‘Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!'” – Job 2:4-5
We can assume that Satan knew the secrets of man and understood the extent to which the pain and burden of an unhealthy body can cost us. In Chapter 3, Job’s response to his second test – physical affliction – contrasts greatly with his attitude after the first test in Chapter 1. Though he did not curse God, he cursed the day of his birth. He felt it would be better never to be born than to be forsaken by God, all because he was distressed in his body.
Many people in our present day and age are experiencing this second trial of Job. How then can the saints carry on with the Great Commission when they are sick? How can we serve the Lord in an unhealthy body?
In Matthew 10:1, Jesus called the twelve disciples together and gave them authority over evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. In our time, I believe that God has also set apart and equipped Christian Healthcare workers to minister and administer divine health and healing to every sick person they care for, even themselves.
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” – Matthew 10:8
God has made the healthcare giver a channel through which He will extend His divine healing power to the sick and afflicted. He has equipped every Christian Healthcare Worker to transform every sphere of the health sector with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God.
It is imperative to note that all healthcare givers ought to understand and imbibe in themselves that the work God has entrusted to them as doctors, nurses, midwives, nutritionists, etc., is a ministry that the Lord has entrusted to them. Every work done, in whatever respect, will be accounted for.
As God’s channel of divine health and healing, it is a must that every health worker should reposition themselves to:
Be Spiritual: Every healthcare giver should endeavor to have a strong and deeply meaningful spiritual life. We interact with and treat the whole person—body, soul, and spirit (1 Thess 5:23). This means that we should not be afraid to delve into the spiritual if that is the area in need of healing for the souls in our care.
- Love and value the sick: “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). Our work should be marked by love—in the way we relate to our patients and also to our colleagues and fellow workers. We should embody the principle of love and allow ourselves to be stirred to respond to the needs of others around us by the same motives that our Lord had, and not according to the lifeless structured ways of society. That same love will also drive us to professional excellence as we do the best jobs possible as if we were treating the Lord Himself. So, work while recognising the face of Christ in those we serve. In Matthew 25:40, Christ says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for Me.”
- Grow in prayer and the Word of God: As part of our arsenal, we have not only our black bag but also prayer, the Word, and spiritual gifts. We pray for our patients, as well as with them, whenever possible. We are also vigilant lest the illness have a spiritual or personal root, in which case the Spirit can lead to a word of wisdom, discernment, or casting out spirits. As we fortify ourselves in prayer and in the Word, we can expect God to work miraculously.
- Do the work of an evangelist: As mentioned earlier, our work is also our ministry. There need not be any separation between our tent-making and our service. No matter our service, a hospital is a place where we meet people at a time when they are most vulnerable and needy. It is a privilege to be able to enter their lives at this point and become a channel for the Lord to work. We share not only medicine but also the Gospel.
On this note, I encourage every Christian healthcare worker to reposition themselves to accept and value the ministry entrusted to them. God has placed us in the health sector to fill the gaps, and as we partner with God in the field, every kind of disease and illness will be healed, the dead will rise, souls will be saved, and the glory of God will fill every sphere of the health sector.
And may the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful! – Psalm 90:17
This is one of my favourite verses in all the Psalms. I am pleading for God’s favour to bless the work of every healthcare giver’s hands in ways far beyond what we can imagine and to cause it to bear fruit for His glory and for the good of others. Because the days are numbered, let’s make our work count, be effective and productive in the Kingdom of God. Let’s desire to see God’s eternal plan revealed now for our work to reflect His permanence.
If we feel dissatisfied with this life and all its imperfections, we must remember that our desire to see our work established is placed there by God. However, our desire can only be satisfied in eternity. Until then, we must apply ourselves to serving and loving God, ministering and administering divine health and healing in our health facilities.
May His grace abound.
Written by Elder Jonathan Avornyo, Nurse – Tokpo CHPS (KMHD)