Q:
I have a friend who's been blessed with good health all his life, and he says that if he ever gets really sick he won't need a doctor because he's convinced God will heal him. Is he just being foolish, or is this what the Bible teaches?
A:
I don’t doubt your friend’s sincerity, but I do doubt his wisdom. Yes, God is all-powerful and He can heal apart from medicines and doctors — and occasionally He does. But He also uses medicine and doctors to bring healing, and we should be thankful for the skills God has given them.
I can’t help but be concerned about your friend for another reason, however. When someone is naturally strong and healthy (as some people are), it’s easy for them to take their health for granted, and forget to thank God for it. But every day is a gift from Him, whether we’re strong or weak, and every day our hearts should be filled with thankfulness for all God gives us. The Bible says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father” (James 1:17).
I also wonder if your friend takes seriously the fact that some day we’ll all die, no matter how strong or healthy we are right now. Is he ready for that day, or is he denying it will ever happen? Pray for him, and urge him to face his need for Christ and His salvation.
No matter how healthy or weak we are, God knows all about us, and He never stops loving us. Make it your goal to live for Christ every day, no matter your situation. Then you can say with Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).