What am I doing?

Our work bible study group has very interesting lessons. We are doing a manuscript bible study based not the book of Mark. Manuscript bible study help you learn to dig into the text and draw lessons from the passage. You don't need to have any prior knowledge of the Bible. In-fact the book of Mark was written as the first gospel so the only previous text available to look at is the Old Testament.

We finished the text about Jarius Daughter and the woman with the issue of blood in Mark chapter 5. Today we reviewed what we have learnt so far looking at Jesus life and this text. Some of the lessons learnt with application were very insightful since people get different messages from the text. So it is an account of Jairus who approaches him and asks him if he could come with him to heal his unwell daughter. While they are on the way, a lady who was bleeding says to herself that why don’t I touch the hem of his garden and I will be made well. Then when she did it she was healed.

In Mark 5: 26 “She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.” What can we draw from this:

· The lady had seen many doctors

· The lady had spent all that she had.

· The lady instead of getting better , she grew worse.

Most patients have passed through many health-workers, some also are seeking a second opinion. This lady as well was looking for help, every place she went she was looking to get better. It was personal. Just like Jairus, it wasn’t about pride but she just needed relief. Jairus didn’t care that Jesus was not liked by his pharisee & saduccess colleagues, his daughter was not doing well. I see that also our patients are looking to get better and also have hope that it will be okey. Jesus treated people the same way- he attended to the prestigious pharisee called Jairus just like he attended to the lady with the issue of blood who lived like an outcast because she was unclean and also the demoniac man who lived by the tombs. It is not about their place in society, they are all looking for hope. Do we give hope to our patients? Do we treat all our patients the same regardless of their place in society? Do we stratify them and give more attention because the patient or relative has a higher standing in society than the next one? Like Jesus we want to give them hope and treat them the same way regardless of how they look or their wallet. The have seen many doctors, how will we be different?

Some patients have spent lots of resources seeking care. They could have maxed out their insurance if they have any or spent a lot of money paying for care. How can we not be a source of financial pain? We give a clear indication of the costs they will incur with a clear breakdown as to how the costs were arrived at. We discuss how to keep the costs that patients will incur to be reasonable. So the thought going through our minds- what will this test or treatment plan achieve- is it justified to help make this patient better. How can we not make them spend more money than needs to be spent. Does this treatment plan help them restore their function or will it not change anything for the patient.

Does my treatment plan make the patient worse. I would be extremely sad if my treatment caused more harm than good. How can I be different?

I love my work and the most interesting times are when we talk about life in general. One of my most memorable conversations was yesterday. The son of one of our patients was reflecting on how God renews us and helps us. He is strong and looks young. I asked him if he Knew God since most of his speech sounded that way. He is those guy who walk with God like Noah did. I I also asked him that I had observed that people who know God don’t seem to age. He said that God renews you. He gives you peace so you don’t have to worry even things don’t seem to be okey. His mum as well is a believer and she doesn’t look old. In-fact his mom says she is probably 210 years but she is actually 88years old. She looks more like 75 or so. She loves God and has peace. He says these 2 passages explain why peace is the key. God is with you are not alone. Anxiety isn’t there because you ask God for help – you trust him and He give you peace.

Isaiah 26: 3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Philippians 4:6- 7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

God’s peace helps you not to worry about anything. Peace helps you to live in peace with everyone. We would like to live in peace and be like him.

I would like to do my best not to cause more harm like the lady in Mark 5 suffered under many doctor’s but to be a person who anyone can approach for help regardless of their situation in life. The key is to be steadfast, actually unwavering in my relationship with God, completely & utterly trust in God, then I will be a peacemaker. Maybe then I can be a mirror of Jesus Christ the greatest physician that ever walked in the earth, that I will radiate Gods love to all.