I frequently receive calls from people who have a doctor’s appointment, but tremble in fear over what the doctor is going to say when they get there and have an examination.
To help, I remind them that they have 100% control over their healthcare decisions. Their doctor is going to have an opinion and likely outline a course of action. But the patient is the one who decides what course of action to take.
If patients feel pressured about what to do during an appointment, then they need to give themselves time to pray and listen for the proper course of action. They can reply, “Thank you for your advice. I need some time to think about that.” Then go home, listen, and pray to follow their highest sense of right.
In emergency situations, time may not be an option, but, nevertheless, the patient is still in the driver’s seat. In most cases, there will be eventual opportunity for the patient, or a person who understands the patient’s desires, to take control of the situation and guide the overall decision making and course of action.
Most doctors I know are wonderful people who do listen to their patients, who want to be helpful and work with their clients. (And as yesterday’s video post pointed out, they may pray for them very successfully.)
The most important point to remember is that you are never helpless. Understanding this truth alone may keep you out of the doctor’s office, because feeling helpless leads to many disease beliefs in the first place.
When we acquiesce to the belief of helplessness, we believe there is a power greater than God governing our lives, namely mortal mind. And that is not a healthy place to be and live. Mortal mind is not a friend.
Divine Mind is your friend!
Divine Mind gives you power to be spiritual, to be strong, and to exercise authority, power and dominion over mortal mind.
Don’t lose sight of your divine authority to think right, act right, and pursue the wisest, healthiest course of action. Even in the doctor’s office.
What an appropriate blog for me today. Over the weekend I developed a horrible toothache and
needed help. I was in to much pain
to pray. I called the Dentist and
he prescriped an antibiotic and
IBUprofen for pain. I took it, but
felt so guilty since for over 20
years I have taken no medicines, not even an aspirin. I did get
relief until I saw the Dentist, but
now I need to work on “guilt”.
Thank you Evan for not only today’s blog, but all your blogs.
They always seem timely to me and
obviously to others. Now, back to
the “books” and the truth of my being.
I too am in that predicament. At the time that I first asked to become a member of the Mother Church, I had a C/S Practitioner who was very adamant. I had to stop using Materia medicine before she would okay my application, which I did for almost 2 years. With her I made a 3 day demonstration of a fatal disease that there was no cure as far as the medical profession was concerned. Right after my wife passed on due to medical malpractice, I began using medicine again. I could not help it, and I felt guilty about it, until I realized that as MBE writes on page 444 of S&H, “God leads you into temporary & eternal means.” I paraphrased that. Still one must, as one goes by Materia medica, always keep in thought, the higher and spiritual goal.
My dealings with the medical profession have been with the dentist, It has made sense to have regular cleaning, and I always go “prayed up”. I appreciate their professionalism, their motive,their genuine caring about my well being. Over the decades there has been one or two “dire predictions” which have been handled metaphysically. I am grateful to know that God is even in the dentist’s office.
Thank you for this practical and Christian approach-most of us have had our brushes w/ the medical world in some way or other. We can demonstrate health only as far as we understand it spiritually. To feel guilt and remorse over sidesteps (and that’s all they are because the true path to lasting health is spiritual) is not of God. It’s old guilt theology! Sometimes at the moment we do what we “gotta do”. How kind your approach is, Evan, how gentle. We dust ourselves off and get started again. My mom anguished for years over taking a medical step. Dear mom, as though it somehow erased ALL the amazing healings you had and accomplished for others. Thank you for this, Evan, it brings such peace and kindness to the issue. Much love to all….
jon s
I have an appointment for a ct scan for a lung problem and since the problem has been resolved with a practitioners help I feel it is unnecessary,but I will go because my wife and sons [who do not use science]are very fearful for me.out of love for them I will go.no guilt will accompany me just divine loves presence,embrasing me and my family and the medical staff……….the fear will be dispersed and like david in the bible will go on with sling in hand ready to meet the next challenge to prove gods almighty power
I don’t agree with this. I don’t fear doctors, but I also don’t want doctors or dentists looking at me and thinking about me as physical and telling me that I am physical. I don’t see any difference between doctors and dentists, they’re both doctors. Teeth don’t need cleaning beyond careful home brushing and flossing. While I brush, I work with “Shepherd, wash me clean”, and I pray to know that my substance is eternally spiritual. One time I did have a severe toothache, and I temporarily used a plastic bag filled with ice to give me sufficient pain relief while I prayed to heal the problem, which happened.
To above,
I think most people would like to have all their problems healed with prayer and prevent them from going to a doctor. But when that doesn’t happen as hoped, they do not have to go in fear. That’s the gist of the message above.
That is wonderful that you’ve met all your needs through prayer. Good work! And hopefully you’re helping all your neighbors learn how to do the same…it can take a lot of love and patience.
Thank you to Evan and everyone who has posted. The comments show we are all interested in “working God’s purpose out” in our lives. We make demonstrations as we continue to study and apply what we understand. When the woman who had spent everything she had on doctors came to Jesus as a last resort, he didn’t judge her for what she HAD done, he blessed for turning to him when she did. GOD loves us; I think we just need to do the best we can as sincere seekers of the Truth and know that God is in control, not matter what.
As a result of a car accident many years ago, in which the only part of me that was not injured was my right hand and arm, I worked with doctors for quite awhile. As a result, I made many new friends, and had wonderful conversations about how I was praying to support them in their work. I was to have had my leg amputated above the knee because of a medical mistake. At that time I was asked by a friend to get a new doctor. When I interviewed 3 different doctors, I told them of my background, and that I saw us working as a team. I was the chair of the team, and they were required to give me the needed information. Then I asked if they wanted to work with me under those conditions. All wanted to be a part of my team. Is there any wonder that now, 40+ years later, I am walking on my own leg, and find other Christian Scientists calling me for support?