“Healthy” Idols?: Part 1

“When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt”” (Exodus 32:1-2 NIV, Bible App).

It is truly unbelievable to think that after all God had done through Moses to free the Israelites from Egypt, where they had been enslaved for 400 years, that they would turn from Him! Through Moses, God had performed signs and wonders in Egypt to influence a change in Pharaoh’s heart to let the Israelites go. But God wasn’t done! Still running from Pharoah, the Israelites experience God’s parting of the Red Sea only to watch it engulf Pharaoh and the Egyptians as they crossed. God finally ended the Israelites captivity from Egypt! I mean, talk about miracles! The Israelites experienced so many of God’s limitless powers and love for His people. However, even they were still quick to abandon or forget those experiences about God’s greatness. Even they, moved by inconvenience, were led to pay homage to other gods. We may be hasty in judging them, acting appalled at their betrayal of God, but, we also fall victim to this very same thing in many areas of our lives, especially in the area of our health.

Our scientific community and health and wellness organizations will often inform us, on the foundation of research, that things are “healthy” or “good” for our body.  Based on this, we accept what they say to be true and, therefore, often times, automatically follow the recommendations that are suggested from this research. Our wholehearted trust and belief in what they claim causes us to continue on a path that leaves no room for what God’s Truth is in all of it. Regrettably, when this happens and we start to oblige to other health standards FIRST, or completely avoid God’s part in our health, we fall victim to idolatry. We look towards another means to help us and not God’s means. We unknowingly put so much faith in a human designed institution that we, for all intents and purposes, worship the people and the information coming from those systems. Unfortunately, this is in complete contrast to what God tells us “Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?” (Isaiah‬ ‭2‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬). 

In the Old Testament, God informs the First Commandment as “I am the Lord your God, … you shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20: 2,3 NIV). In the New Testament, Jesus states the first of His Two Great Commandments as “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22: 37 NIV). So, how do these commands fare to the way we manage our health? Should we be concerned that, instead of trusting in our almighty God to heal us, we have accidentally trusted in these systems MORE? And how, by turning to these systems first, has it lead to our definitions of health, our frustrations and fears about health, and our, overall, “unhealthiness”?

Well, the first step is to fully understand what these two commandments from God mean. When we hear them, we likely think that they only pertain to not loving other humanistic-type gods/images/statues/etc. However, this is not the complete span of what these commandments were conveying.  They were emphasizing that not only should we not love other human-like gods/inages/statues/etc. above God but also that we should not love ALL OTHER WORLDLY THINGS above Him. Simply stated, we can not turn to nor trust in anything else that this world has offered more than God and His Word (remember, Jesus is the Word!). And this command can not be looked at as coming from an overbearing God but a loving One. This is because when we follow His Word, everything in our life falls into place, especially our health. He designed it all, so Who better to trust when it starts to change!

I know that there are many people and things THAT GOD HAS CREATED FOR US AND GIFTED TO US in the way of health, including knowledgeable and caring people as well as fruits and vegetables, vitamins and minerals, herbal treatments, holistic healing treatments, medications, medical technology, etc. It is not that these things are bad or inappropriate for us to utilize for our health. Again, GOD HAS PROVIDED CREATION AND DOES USE CREATION ON OUR WALK. However, what has happened for a lot of us is that instead of taking time to turn to God FIRST when we are dealing with voluntary or involuntary health changes, we go directly to and place our faith in what our worldly health information systems have provided for us. We start to believe in their assistance more than in God’s, and trust in their ability to heal us more than He could. Even though God designed the intricacies of our health, we often leave Him out of the equation, out of the process. We can not, and are told SHOULD NOT, give more credit to the creation than to the Creator! Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16 NIV). However, many times, when it comes to our health, this is exactly what we do… worship the gift not the One Who provided it.

Now, before I proceed I want to make an important point. I am NOT BLAMING anybody here. I am not writing this to condemn or point the finger at our worldly health systems or at the people who use them, by any means. Not only has God created it all, but I have both utilized and worked in this very system for many years! I am, however, specifically trying to show how our sole reliance upon worldly systems is in complete contradiction to God’s Word and this is definitely affecting our overall health (and life)!

Chances are we were all likely brought up in the same, or similar, societal and cultural systems concerning how to handle our health. We started influenced by following the examples of what our families or caregivers did when it came to our health. Then, as we got older, we were influenced by what people, both professional and non-professional, did and recommended. But it didn’t stop there. Now, because of technology, we are swept away, and truly oversaturated, with so many opinions on how to deal with our health as well as a constant barrage of advertisements and ad campaigns regarding what is the newest and greatest approach to all sorts of health issues.  

It became part of a normal process to turn to the worldly suggestions about health. Sometimes, we placed our complete faith and trust in this process but, sometimes, we just relied on its information purely out of habit. Regardless, we did either without thought or question not realizing that there was a better approach. And this is how we became worshipers to a system placing its authority on health well above God’s.

Now, some of you might be thinking that this isn’t true. We may have experienced either personally, within our own health, or in the health of others, those situations when things became so scary that we reached for God’s comfort and ability when the systems of this world had nothing more to offer. (Isn’t it amazing we still knew Who to turn to?) However, instead of doing it as a first step from a place of complete and total trust, a knowing of God’s faithfulness, we did it from a place of final desperation. This doesn’t mean God wouldn’t work in those circumstances, for He is compassionate and loving, but, truly, when we do it from a place of desperation, this isn’t the kind of faith that cultivates the miracles to move mountains! (…But you will need to check out Post #2 for more information on that!) The point of this post is where do we turn FIRST, what do we trust FIRST, WHAT DO WE IDOLIZE AND WORSHIP FIRST FOR OUR HEALTH ISSUES?… And, what are the consequences of these initial steps we take?

As I mentioned, God is compassionate and loving. Therefore, some might think that this topic doesn’t even matter. Most of us know that regardless of the decision we make, God will be there for us no matter when we turn to Him. But the reality is what (and WHO) we turn to AS PRIORITY for our health matters A LOT in the outcomes we desire in our health (and in our lives)!!!! First off, as I already stated, when we don’t turn to God first in our health, we are breaking God’s commandments that He is to be our One true God. That He is the One we trust in all situations above ANYTHING ELSE that the world offers. But there is more to this story. As I referenced above, these commands were not only set in place so that we show reverence and love to Our Creator. They were commanded of us OUT OF LOVE so that WE WOULD LIVE OUR HEALTHIEST, spiritually and physically.  Let’s explain.

Although, it may appear that many people seem to improve their health issues by simply following these worldly recommendations, it often comes at a cost. In my experience as a clinical doctor, I saw many patients for all types of health reasons. Yes, of course, there were people who would feel better from medical recommendations. They would be so impressed with their outcome that this would lead them to a complete faith solely in the system which kept them coming back for more. They became dedicated to their more frequent visits and any and all recommendations offered to them because they trusted this would guarantee good health. They did this, so much so, that even when they or a family member came upon a situation that wasn’t turning out the way they wanted, they still stayed fast and true to their marriage to the system, working harder to find the right hospital, doctor, treatment, etc. This would eventually cause the patient anger, stress, and frustration, even worry, anxiety, and fear.

However, it was also not as common as you may think that I, as a medical doctor, would make a medical recommendation based on scientific research and/or clinical based evidenced outcomes and someone would completely improve from a health perspective. They may have had some short term, or even long term, improved symptoms. However, these “positive” outcomes were often traded for unwanted ones. For instance, maybe it was traded with being married to the new system they trusted (as explained above), a life long new medicine or new supplement (which had its own set of lousy side effects) or new diet protocol (which came with complicated and expensive food choices). This would eventually, and often, lead to one, or all of the following: the patient’s overwhelm, insecurity, disappointment, and depression. Maybe, it came with possibly needing to see new doctors, to have more frequent appointments, to do more tests, or to evaluate other treatments options which led to the patient’s further bitterness, frustration, and torment. Maybe, it came with greater financial burdens which led to the patient’s further anxiety and worry.  And, to complicate matters, the patient was likely dealing with a chronic health  change that we, as a healthcare community, probably didn’t even know how or why it started, making it impossible to completely stop the symptoms. This often led to the patient’s further hopelessness and fear. Within the confines of our human worldly health system, we may be able to provide answers but they come at the cost of having full freedom. And, as you can see, I am not just talking about physical freedoms but also spiritual ones (which we now know impact our physical health much more than most people think). 

As people become bound to this worldly system, often times, they begin to feel undesired thoughts/heart postures (compounded with undesired ones that they are already have). Spiritual states that are not only not in alignment with what Jesus told us to live by (HIS WILL) but that are also being shown by science to strongly contribute to our VERY HEALTH CHANGES! Can you believe that the very thing our healthcare industry is trying to “cure,” it is potentially exacerbating and causing, and most healthcare professionals and wellness coaches don’t even know they are doing it?! This is why when we live according to God’s Word, we live THE HEALTHIEST, SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY!   

When we place God first not only in our lives, but in our health, we are starting from a different vantage point. Instead of relying on limited ways, we are accessing the power that not only created the universe but created our bodies and our health. As we learn to lean on His Word to guide our health paths, He starts to change our minds and hearts and grow our faith in Who He says He is. (“I am the Lord who heals you” -Exodus 15: 26 NIV. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you” -Isaiah 42: 8 NIV. “I am the Lord, who made all things” -Isaiah 44: 24 NIV. “I am the way and the truth and the life” -John 14: 6 NIV.) Furthermore, He shows us who we are to Him. (“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit…so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” -John 15: 16 NIV. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” -Ephesians 2: 10 NIV. “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly love” -Colossians 3: 12 NIV. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” -1 Peter 2: 9 NIV.) Once you realize how special you are to the Creator of all things, you no longer live in a thought pattern of how something is wrong with you and your health situation, spiraling you down into feelings of despair, but on how so much is not only right with you and ordained to be so but you can overcome ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM!

As you turn to God first for your health issues, you will be ”transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12: 2 NIV). Your turning to God and trusting in Him will help you believe that when things are uncertain in your health and you don’t know the right path, His knowledge and power are limitless. In the Bible it states, “In their hears humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16: 9 NIV). This indicates your assurance that even if you are under a current treatment plan or following a certain health protocol, but you are turning to Him with your whole heart, mind, and soul, if He doesn’t want you to be a part of it, and, possibly, wants you to start something different, He will make it happen! You won’t need to be overwhelmed by choices to make or by uncertain situations because you KNOW He will shut the doors that need to be shut and open all the doors that need to be open, directing you where to go. When we turn to Him first and wholeheartedly, we can’t go wrong!

And, the best part is, because you believe in His love so profoundly and have faith in His guidance for your life so deeply, He will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him (Isaiah 26: 3 NIV). Yes, as stated above, He will use the things He has created in this world for your health path but, the difference is, when you have placed Him first in it, it won’t be plagued by overwhelming frustration, fear, worry, anxiety, depression, etc. over what option to choose or what the outcome will be. Instead, as you walk in your health journeys, you will live in a state of peace, love, and gratitude because you have confidence in the ONE Who not only loves you BUT IS THE ONLY TRUE HEALER! And, again, showcasing the complete mastery with which He created you, God made your body in a way that when your heart is in a state of peace, love, and gratitude (again, HIS WILL!), you have physical bodily healing (as now seen in scientific research)! All in all, when we place Him First in our health, we can be “sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Phillipians 1: 6 NIV) and “anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2: 21 NIV). 

This all sounds too amazing, perfect, and EASY! RIGHT?! Just as the Bible states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV). 

Therefore, the question needs to be asked, “why have we drifted so far from utilizing our limitless God as our primary guidance in health and, instead, solely followed the world’s guidelines?” In the next Post, we will discover that the answer to this question lies in the verses that we discussed at the beginning of this Post from Exodus 32: 1-2 NIV.

Hope you come back to find out where we have fallen short and, more importantly, how patient and forgiving our God is. It’s never too late to start a relationship with Him, which will lead to the consequent positive changes in your body and your life! God is blessing you!