Q:
My cousin is getting older and has a lot of physical problems, but she refuses to go to a doctor because she says God will heal her if she just has enough faith. I'm concerned about her, but I don't know what to do. Is she right?
A:
God certainly can bring healing directly to us in some instances, but this doesn’t mean we should turn our backs on doctors or medical treatment when we need them. Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Mark 2:17).
After all, God works through people to get His work done in the world, including doctors and nurses. He gave their skills to them, and He also has enabled researchers to discover new ways to treat some of the maladies that affect our bodies. God also created our bodies and put within them the ability to respond to medical treatment. I often think of the Apostle Paul’s beloved companion Luke, who was a doctor (see Colossians 4:14).
Pray for your cousin, and also do whatever you can to encourage her to get the help she needs. I note that you say she’s getting older, and sometimes as we grow older we find it harder to take care of ourselves or make some of the decisions we need to make. When this happens, we may need others to help and encourage us. The Bible tells us to “serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13).
Pray, too, that your cousin’s faith may grow stronger, no matter what the future holds for her—and that yours will, as well. It can as you commit your life to Christ and learn to walk with Him through prayer and the study of His Word, the Bible.