It has been 25 days since my back surgery and I have not had any prescription pain medication for the last two days!  On a couple of occasions I have taken some Extra Strength Tylenol for some of the lingering pain in my right foot, but I have had no more Tylenol with Codeine or muscle relaxers in the last two days!  I am very excited about this as I feel it means that my body is making very good progress in the healing process.  One of my goals was to be able to get off of the prescription medication as quickly as possible.  Though I take daily medication to keep my migraines under control, I do my best to avoid most medications and try to keep as few drugs in my body as possible.

I am not opposed to medications from a religious point of view, as a matter of fact when I am asked; “Should Christians Take Medications” my response is that there is nothing wrong with taking the proper medications in a responsible manner which have been prescribed for you by your doctor.  God has ordained the use of doctors and medications.  Jesus talked about the use of doctors and never in the bible do you see anyone commanded not to seek medical attention from a physician or commanded not to make use of the proper medications in use in that day.  The Apostle Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23

“No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.”

Wine was used to help eliminate some of the impurities found in the water of that day and it was also used for medicinal purposes.  Paul was instructing Timothy to use this natural remedy to help with the ailments that Timothy was experiencing.  Would Paul also want Timothy to pray?  Certainly!  Paul was the one who said we are to “pray without ceasing”!  But Paul also wanted Timothy to make use of the other remedies that God made available as well.  The bible says in Psalm 24:1

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof…”

Many of our medicines come from the flowers, trees and herbs that the Lord has placed on this earth.  Much of our healing comes through the hands of doctors, men and women whom the Lord has blessed with a good education and great skills.  Christians should not hesitate to make proper use of properly prescribed medication or to submit themselves to the care of a good physician.  Most importantly though, while in the midst of the healing process, one needs to remember to pray and to submit oneself to the Great Physician.  For even though you  may have an earthly doctor,  all healing comes from our Lord.  It is God who has your back.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com