Let's Stop Treating the Symptomps

In the last few weeks I have had quite a few medical appointments for a few health issues that I am struggling with. On one occasion, I went to have an endoscopy done to find out if I am gluten intolerant or not. I have been struggling with digestive issues for quite some time and I decided that it is time I have some investigations done to find out what exactly is causing all my bloating and constipation. Upon entering the doctor's office, he proceeded to ask me the usual questions: What brought me there? What are my symptoms?

But I did not get to say too much, because as soon as he heard that I am constipated, he asked me what I have done for to help my constipation and he prescribed me some laxatives (which, of course, I am NOT going to take). I tried to tell him about some other symptoms that I have, but he insisted on the same thing: that I take a strong laxative that he is going to prescribe me for four weeks. Needless to say, I was pretty frustrated at the end of the visit. I kept telling myself: "Really? Is this what you do? Are you treating only the symptoms? What about the cause?" Not to say that his solution is only damaging the digestive tract.

The more I thought about it, the more it dawned on me that we are doing the very same thing in the relationship with others. What we see in them, their weaknesses, are only the symptoms. And this is what we are often trying to treat. We think that we are knowledgeable and we know what they must do. And so often we are offering them our own solutions that not only do not heal, but are doing more damage.

Treating the symptom might bring temporal relieve. But on long term there is no gain.

As Christians we should know better than treating the symptoms of sin. Trying to get someone do something by showing them Bible verses or E.G. White quotations might help for a while. But the question remains: What makes this person do this and that when the Bible speaks against it? Once we have the answer to this question, we know what actually needs to be treated. I believe that there is only one answer to this question no matter what the symptom may be.

Sin, regardless of its kind, is just a symptom. The sickness is our lack of love for Jesus. If we want a long term-change, we need to pull out the root of all evil. We need to get to know Jesus, and we will surely fall in love with Him in the process. If we want others to get well, we need to point them to Jesus, we need to encourage them to get to know Him and spend time with Him. And even more than that, we need to showcase them Jesus.

So let's stop treating the symptoms. Let's stop using our knowledge and wisdom. Let's stop using our Bible knowledge to fix people and to prove them wrong. Let's go to the root! Let's spend time on our knees asking God how can we show them Jesus? How can we point them to Him? How can we awaken in them the desire to know Jesus more? How can we help them fall in love with Him? And let's allow the great Healer to do His work in His own time, in His own way. He might choose to use us, or He might use someone else. This is His work, not ours. We have not been called to change people. We have been called to reflect Him and do what He is asking us to do. That's why we need to ask ourselves: Is it God who sends me to do this work, or is it my own desire?

Let's not forget that there is only one Great Healer. We are only tools in His hands. When we attempt to do the work that belongs only to Him or that He did not send us to do, we will only do more damage. But when we remain a tool in His hands, there will be no limit to our usefulness. 

"There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God." —The Southern Watchman, August 1, 1905.