Treatment Plan

 

I originally wrote this in 2021, but with my upcoming surgery (on April 27), it seemed appropriate to post again.  I can easily apply it to my need for surgery, being a bit afraid to go through with it, and yet knowing the necessity and importance of having it done. Here is that blog from 2021:

I have been having difficulty breathing lately and I could tell from past asthma attacks that what I was experiencing was not typical asthma; I knew the sensation in my lungs was different, and possibly even worse.  Therefore, I knew I had to see a doctor in order to get help.  I was diagnosed with pulmonary hyperinflation, or in other words, lungs that are over-inflated. The doctor had prescribed medication and further testing. But what did I do? Did I thank the doctor for his help? Nope! I chose not to take the medication as prescribed because I do not like that type of medication, and I initially refused to let him refer me for pulmonary (lung function) testing.  After the doctor explained that I need to take the meds twice a day and not just once, and why the testing was so vital, I finally relented to taking the medicine, and let him send in the referral. 

The reason why I am sharing this information is that I can see how my stubbornness against medical treatment is a perfect illustration for how we respond to our spiritual doctor, God.  When we are suffering spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, or even financially, we beg for help.  We ask God to fix our circumstances.  We say we will do whatever He asks of us; take whatever medication He prescribes. Yet when God's treatment plan says we need to give up a particular sin or sins in order to be set free from bondage, we balk.  

We try to justify our actions.  Some might say, "I know if only I would give up pornography, You would heal my marriage. But God, find another way to help. I know Your word says that looking at another woman with lust is cheating on my wife, but my wife...  Well, God, You know." (But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28) 

Or some may try to bargain, "God, I know if I gave up the demonic influences of television and movies that my depression would decrease, and I would see more answers to my prayers.  But can you quit mentioning that 'touch not the unclean thing,' scripture verse? Surely that verse has nothing to do with modern day times anyway. If You can give me more proof, other than what the Bible says, that Hollywood is harmful to my soul, then I will give it up." (For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18) 

 Or some may just ignore God altogether, "God, you expect me to give up alcohol?  But then how will I cope with all the pains in my past? You need to help me deal with my problems another way; I will not give up drinking! If I quit going to the bars with my buddies, they will not understand." (Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Proverbs 20:1)

In essence we have all been guilty of saying, "God, You are not enough for me.  I know I am begging and crying for You to help me, but if you expect me to give up what the Bible says is unclean, then You don't love me at all, You just want me to be bored and miserable. I do not trust your treatment plan for health and healing in the Bible that tells me to give up my sins. If you love me, You will simply grant me a miracle."  (When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Mark 2:17)

So what happens next?  Just as if I had first disregarded the doctor's orders and did not take my medication as prescribed, I found no relief from my symptoms, and they even became worse.  And if I had refused the further testing, I would not have the answers I am hoping to find to see just how far my lung disease has progressed and figure out if I need different treatments.  It is the same with sin.  If we refuse to repent and cast sin away, our lives will not improve and will have the potential to escalate to the point of non-repair.  If we do not allow God to test us and get to the bottom of why we sin and why we are so stubborn in giving it up, we will never get the relief for are begging for. (Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me. Psalm 139:23-24 & Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7)

Remember, I am writing this from the perspective of one who has asked God for help, and then refused His council. Whatever God is asking you to give up, be it pornography, Hollywood, alcohol, an affair, false religion, bad temper, argumentative attitude, etc. then you need to follow His will and let go of your own stubborn pride, or you will remain in darkness. (If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:6-8) 

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

I feel as if there is more I could say, but I will end with a better writer than I am, and end with Paul's words from Romans 6. Prayerfully read his words and let them sink in and when you ask God to help you, truly mean it and give up whatever sin He asks of you (in doubt, read the Bible) you so you can be set free. (I suggest reading all of Romans chapter 8 as well.) 

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein... 

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him... For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness... 

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:1-23