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The Health Principle of TRUST

     In such a hectic world in which we live and work, with all its pressures and deadlines, it can be very difficult to keep from getting tired, run-down, and stressed out.  Stress is any situation or action that puts extra pressure or intensity upon you – whether physical or mental in nature. Some of the symptoms of stress upon the body is usually an increase in blood pressure, breathing, perspiration, and  heart beat. The body helps to combat stress through chemicals released by the adrenal glands.
     By continually placing ourselves unnecessarily into stressful situations, such as through worry, fighting, being fearful, or by participating in or even watching competitive sports and games, the adrenal glands become wearied, and thus when a real crisis occurs, the body is bankrupt and unable to physically cope.  But by far, worry is the most widely practiced of all the unnecessary stressful situations.  And worry, in the great majority of all cases, is absolutely unnecessary!
     The direct opposite of worry is trust.  Trust means to have full confidence in something or in someone.  And it is interesting that the Bible has quite a lot to say regarding trust.  It states that we are not to place our trust in weapons or in wealth (Psalms 49:6-7), not in leaders (Psalms 146:3) or in men (Jeremiah 17:5) or even in ourselves (Ezekiel 33:13).  But yet these are the very things which the majority of people  place their trust in today.

     But where should we place our trust?
     “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4.

     “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

     While it is quite natural for people to place their trust somewhere, how sad that so many place their trust in so many other areas except in the loving and trustworthy Saviour Jesus Christ.
     “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuse for us.” Psalms 62:8.

     Having trust in God, even when we find ourselves afflicted by disease, can make all the difference – especially in the amount of time involved in our recovery.  And our Saviour is indeed concerned with our health!
     The Saviour, in His miracles, revealed the power that is continually at work in man's behalf to sustain and to heal him. 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 at once begun; 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 one recovers from disease, it is God who restores him.
     Sickness, suffering, and death are work of an antagonistic power. Satan is the one who seeks to destroy us, while God is the One who is seeking our restoration.
     The words spoken to Israel are true today of those who recover health of body or health of soul. "I am the Lord that healeth thee." Exodus 15:26.
     When Christ healed disease, He warned many of the afflicted ones, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." John 5:14. Thus He taught that they had brought disease upon themselves by transgressing the laws of God, and that health could only be preserved or regained by obedience.
     The sick need to be taught that they are to cooperate with God in the work of restoration back to health. Most disease is the result of sin. The laws of nature, as truly as the 10 precepts of the Decalogue, are divine, and only in obedience to them can health be recovered or preserved. Many are suffering as the result of hurtful practices who might be restored to health if they would do what they might for their own restoration. They need to be taught that every practice which 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 mankind.
     Men 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 man power to obey the laws of God. It is this that enables him to break the bondage of evil habit. This is the only power that can make him and keep him steadfast in the right path.
     When the gospel is received in its purity and power, it is a cure for the maladies that originated in sin. The Sun of Righteousness arises, "with healing in His wings." Malachi 4:2. Not all 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 gladden the sorrowful heart or to restore the wasted life. The life of God in the soul is man's only hope.
     Yes both God and your Saviour Jesus Christ do indeed care and love you tremendously, and they both are interested in you and your health.  You can place all of your full and complete trust in them, and can know of a surety, that they will never leave you, nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5-6).

     "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Psalms 42:11.

     "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." I Thessalonians 5:18.

     This command to give thanks in everything, is an assurance that even the things which appear to be against us will work for our best and eternal good. God would not bid us be thankful for that which would actually do us harm!  So let us trust in God and in His strong and capable hands.  With God on our side, what need we of being fearful?
     "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalms 27:1.

     "For in the time of trouble he hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall he hide me...Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord." Psalms 27:5-6.

     "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God." Psalms 40:1-3.

     "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him."  Psalms 28:7.