The Source of Healing

The Savior in His miracles revealed the power that is continually at work in behalf of human beings, to sustain and to heal them. Through the agencies of nature God is working, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment, to keep us alive, to build up and restore us. When any part of the body sustains injury, a healing process is begun at once; nature’s agencies are set at work to restore soundness. But the power working through these agencies is the power of God. All life-giving power is from Him. When people recover from disease, it is God who restores them.MHH 53.3

Sickness, suffering, and death are the work of an antagonistic power. Satan is the destroyer; God is the restorer.MHH 54.1

The words spoken to Israel are true today of those who recover health of body or health of soul. “‘I am the Lord who heals you.’” Exodus 15:26.MHH 54.2

The desire of God for every human being is expressed in the words, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2.MHH 54.3

It is God who “forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” Psalm 103:3, 4.MHH 54.4

When Christ healed disease, He warned many of the afflicted ones, “‘Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.’” John 5:14. Thus He taught that they had brought disease upon themselves by transgressing the laws of God, and that health could be preserved only by obedience.MHH 54.5

Physicians should teach their patients to cooperate with God in the work of restoration. Disease is the result of sin. The laws of nature, as truly as the precepts of the Decalogue, are divine, and only in obedience to them can health be preserved or recovered. Many who are suffering as the result of hurtful practices might be restored to health if they would do what they could for their own restoration. They need to be taught that every practice that destroys the physical, mental, or spiritual energies is sin, and that health is to be secured through obedience to the laws that God has established for the good of all humanity.MHH 54.6

A physician who sees a patient suffering from disease caused by improper eating and drinking or other wrong habits, yet neglects to tell him or her of this, is doing injury to a fellow being. Drunkards, maniacs, those who are given over to licentiousness, all should be told clearly and distinctly that suffering results from sin. Those who understand the principles of life should be in earnest in striving to counteract the causes of disease. Seeing the continual conflict with pain, working constantly to alleviate suffering, how can physicians hold their peace? Are they benevolent and merciful if they do not teach strict temperance as a remedy for disease?MHH 54.7

Let it be made plain that the way of God’s commandments is the way of life. God has established the laws of nature, but His laws are not arbitrary exactions. Every “You shall not,” whether in physical or in moral law, implies a promise. If we obey it, blessings will follow. God never forces us to do right, but He endeavors to save us from the evil and lead us to the good.MHH 54.8

Consider the laws that were taught to the Israelites. God gave His people definite instruction in regard to their habits of life. He made known to them the laws relating to both physical and spiritual well-being, and on condition of obedience He assured them, “‘The Lord will take away from you all sickness.’” “‘Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today.’” “For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” Deuteronomy 7:15; 32:46; Proverbs 4:22.MHH 54.9

God desires us to reach the standard of perfection made possible for us by the gift of Christ. He calls upon us to make our choice on the right side, to connect with heavenly agencies, to adopt principles that will restore in us the divine image. In His written Word and in the great book of nature He has revealed the principles of life. It is our work to obtain a knowledge of these principles, and by obedience to cooperate with Him in restoring health to the body as well as to the soul.MHH 55.1

People need to learn that the blessings of obedience, in their fullness, can be theirs only as they receive the grace of Christ. It is His grace that gives us power to obey the laws of God. It is this that enables us to break the bondage of evil habit. This is the only power that can make us and keep us steadfast in the right path.MHH 55.2

When the gospel is received in its purity and power, it is a cure for the disorders that originated in sin. The Sun of Righteousness arises “with healing in His wings.” Malachi 4:2. Not all that this world bestows can heal a broken heart, or impart peace of mind, or remove care, or banish disease. Fame, genius, talent—all are powerless to cheer the sorrowful heart or restore the wasted life. The life of God in the soul is our only hope.MHH 55.3

The love that Christ diffuses through the whole being is a life-giving power. Every vital part—the brain, the heart, the nerves—it touches with healing. By it the highest energies of the being are roused to activity. It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care, that crush the life forces. With it come serenity and composure. In the soul it implants joy that nothing earthly can destroy—joy in the Holy Spirit—health-giving, life-giving joy.MHH 55.4

Our Savior’s words, “‘Come to Me, ... and I will give you rest’” (Matthew 11:28), are a prescription for the healing of physical, mental, and spiritual ills. Though people have brought suffering on themselves by their own wrongdoing, He regards them with pity. In Him they may find help. He will do great things for those who trust in Him.MHH 55.5

Although for ages sin has been strengthening its hold on the human race, although through falsehood and trickery Satan has cast the black shadow of his interpretation upon the Word of God and has caused people to doubt His goodness, yet the Father’s mercy and love have not ceased to flow earthward in rich currents. If human beings would open the windows of the soul heavenward in appreciation for the divine gifts, a flood of healing virtue would pour in.MHH 55.6