The Words of the Physicians

About Coping with Major Health Issues

This is a reflection on one of the most stressful episodes we face in life,

Whether as patient or caregiver, or both.

It’s about the impact of the Words of the Physicians

On the attitudes, feelings and actions

Of those coping with major health issues.

The Words of the medical physician

Can give us hope or crush our dreams of life.

They can send our emotions racing to heights of joy,

Or plunging suddenly into the abyss of despair:

All triggered by the dynamic prognosis of the physician.

The first Words of the physician

—Announcing the existence of a major health affliction—  

Can send shockwaves of emotions rippling though the whole family;

Prompting reactions like “I can’t imagine this is happening to me” or

“How could this be? Our loved one looks so healthy.”

Immediately, family routines are disrupted, life becomes a blur;

Normal activities of living

(home, work, school, worship and the needs of others)

Are slighted because of our overwhelming focus on

The Words of the physician.

A resulting dysfunctional state can create havoc in the family.

The affliction can be farther aggravated by stress and worry, while

Stressed attitudes interfere with clear thinking,

Especially needed at this time of trauma.

In so many ways, the ensuing turmoil can be so disruptive

—Appointments missed, bills unpaid, homework neglected,

Family care overlooked and, yes, bible study and devotion neglected—

All because of the Words of the medical physician.

It may seem our family is the only one to face such a difficult situation,

However, families since the Garden Gates closed have faced the same.

Job, for one, describes the attitudes and feelings

When days of affliction take hold of us, by saying,

“Our soul feels poured out and expended.”

In Job’s case, for a few days he suffered in silence

Then his caregivers offered words, but no hope.

Something was missing—it was

The Words of THE Physician.

After many days of affliction agitated by hopelessness,

A Light begin to flicker as  

Job’s thoughts and attention were diverted from his affliction

To The Words of the Heavenly Physician.

At last, Job realized he could not understand what was happening;

For these were “things too wonderful (extraordinary) for him to know.”

After listening to the Words of God, Job said

“My ears have heard Your words, But now my eyes have seen You.

The key to coping with our afflictions is

Seeing God in our hearts by faith

Fostered by listening to and meditating on

The Words of the Great Physician.

The evidence is overwhelming:

It will be well with thee and thy family

When we commit our hearts to listening and living  

The Words of the Great Physician.

With our attention focused above, our physical afflictions will be bearable:

Our hearts and souls will be lifted to new heights of faith and comfort,

While “things too wonderful” give us glimpses of Glory unseen by human eyes;

If only we will “Come hither and hear the Words of the LORD thy God.”

Words are life changing:

Knowing that the LORD our God will never fail us nor forsake us

Gives us peace that surpasses understanding and

Joy that is inexpressible in human language,

All flowing as the crystal clear waters of life, i.e.,

The Words of the Great Physician.  

                                                                                        —PaDane—