Flu .... and medicine and prayer!

Don't you just hate it when you are sick?

It is winter and I have been struggling on-and-off for a couple of months now with a lingering cold, but since Saturday I have not been feeling well, and definitely Monday I was sick.

My chest is tight and hurts when I cough, I am sneezing a bit, my head feels funny, my ears are popping and I am hurting all over. Typical symptoms for this time of year.

I first tried over-the-counter medicine but eventually relented yesterday afternoon and went to see a doctor. 5 minutes and a bundle of money later I walked out with a prescription for antibiotics, cortisone, painkillers and cough medicine. Is it going to work? Not sure, but it is going to alleviate the symptoms. 

According to my son (14 years old and an avid player of Plague Inc -

a game where you research and create virus to unleash  upon an unsuspecting world ) the virus creators aim is to infect as many people as possible before the cure takes an effect, and not taking the medicine properly will cause the virus to evolve into a drug resistant strain. 

My friend also said that if you don't take medicine then it is going to take 2 weeks and if you take medicine it will take 14 days to get over it, so take your pick. I think in this case I will take 14 days with some symptomatic relief. 

So, I am booked of work for 2 days, with strict instruction to take it easy. (not easily accomplished with 2 boys in the house). But I am taking my medicine and trying to take it easy.

Inevitably my thoughts turn to the Bible. What was I to do if I took the Bible literally? James 5:14 (New International Version) says:

"Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord"

So... does it mean that I have to call the elders of the church every time I stub my toe, or have a headache, or stomachache? What about more serious conditions like cancer, or aids, or blindness, or deafness or ...

And what if I do not know who the elders are? What if I do not even belong to a congregation? Can't anyone pray for me, and anoint me with oil?

And when the elders come, do they anoint me with olive oil, or grape-seed oil, or sunflower oil or just mineral oil? Does the oil have to be perfumed or can it be natural?

And if I call for the elders it means that there are going to be more than one, as the word 'elders' infers plural. That means that they are going to crowd around me and lay their hands on me. I do not like crowding and touching, it makes me nervous.

What if they pray for me and I do not get well, who is at fault, is my faith too small, or that of the elders, or what?

What if they insist on praying till I feel well? I do not think I can stand that, but I know some insistent people who have done that. It will drive me out of my mind, and in the end I will just tell a lie and say I feel better.

So, just where do I stand? 

If I see a doctor and take medicine, some Christians will say that I do not trust God to heal me. If I do not take medicine, some Christians will say that I am reckless and do not trust the medicine that God provided! So .....

When I get sick, I take some medicine, I also take medicine for my blood pressure, and I pray about my health. When it is particularly bothersome, I take medicine and pray about it. When I am really sick, I take medicine and call in the elders and pray about it. 

I believe God allowed medicine to be invented to be used. I mean, one of the disciples was a doctor, therefore I will visit a doctor when needed and take medicine when needed.

But I also believe that God has given some people the gift of healing and is using them mightily to His honor and glory. 

Then I also believe that we should pray and trust God for everything, every day, including our health.