Going to Doctors and Hospitals

Daily writing prompt

What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?

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I could think of lots of things that I’d be scared to do. Some are a bit ridiculous, such as climbing Mount Everest or bungee jumping. I could also think in terms of sharing my faith. It’s not so much that I’m scared, but people don’t always appreciate you talking about politics or religion, especially if they believe that you are targeting them with a view to proselytizing. But sometimes, I’d like to be a little bolder. I remember getting on a train in Paddington in London once, and a Brazilian guy sitting next to me started speaking to me about Jesus. I was a little embarrassed. I told him that I was already an evangelical Christian. Maybe he wondered why I didn’t start a conversation with him 😀.

And there have been times when I kept very quiet about the fact that I’m a believer for fear of being regarded as a little eccentric. But then again, you don’t wanna give the impression that all evangelical Christians are pushy and annoying, especially in an age where all the information about Jesus and the Scriptures is out there. It’s not as if we’re introducing Christianity to the world. Yet we should be prepared to speak when the opportunity arises. I think of the following verse:

1 Peter 3:15
¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Now, I’ll get to something that everyone has to face. I dislike going to doctors, going for tests, having to go to hospital and so on. Being in my 60s, I expect that I will face health challenges. It’s very tempting to have ChatGPT reassure me that there’s nothing unusual about symptoms or to find excused not to speak to doctors. So, I do need to nudge myself to go to my GP. I mightn’t have anything seriously wrong with me, but it’s not good to bury your head in the sand if you experience worrying symptoms. With hospitals so overcrowded, I dread the thought of having to spend time in one. But if I am sensible about my health, it’ll reduce the chances of long stays.

When I was younger, I remember meeting an extreme Pentecostal couple who didn’t believe in going to doctors. I felt sorry for them, and I sometimes wish that I had engaged with them more and persuaded them that it was the right thing to do. The medical profession is part of God’s common grace for us. When Jesus was on the pinnacle of the temple, Satan tempted him to jump off and trust in God to save him. But Jesus resisted. Why test God by jumping, when there’s a stairs? And if God has provided a medical profession, why not use it. It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pray for God’s help. And God can sometimes heal people dramatically, but it’s rare. Otherwise, the hospitals could all close and leave it to God. But God might heal in subtle ways and He can help us to cope with the mental anguish associated with health difficulties: