An Affordable Health Care Plan

Health care tensions have disturbed the country through legislative discussion and in countless turbulent town hall confrontations. Senator Ted Kennedy’s passing has energized proponents of health care by encouraging a sympathy vote if and when congress decides on a vote.

Aside from the furor over whether or not national health care is a giant step toward socialism, common sense decisions could lead to better health and dramatically lower medical costs. Medical analysts frankly state that smoking is the greatest preventable cause of ill health in America. Recent reports now indicate that excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption rank high in health risks. Heart patients can greatly benefit from regular exercise, which can provide as much aid as surgery. Homosexual lifestyles have spread horrendous diseases, sickening and killing millions and draining health care dollars.

Inexpensive and easily performed routines or disciplines could save millions of dollars and countless lives. Ounces of prevention could avoid pounds of cure. Why not spend a few thousand dollars quizzing healthy people about their lifestyles rather than mindlessly spending millions on treating sick people? It’s as one said, “Instead of slapping mosquitoes, let’s drain the pond.” Someone else once said, “It is better to build fences at the top of the cliff than hospitals at the bottom.”

The best preventives are the God-given Scriptural principles of health and well being. Proverbs 3:5 & 6 are often quoted in reference to receiving guidance in life. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” But the two verses following speak to the more immediate health issue. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”

According to Isaiah 58:8, spiritual revival and physical health are related. “…then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily…” National recovery from dreadful spiritual decline is offered in Jeremiah 30:17: “For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds, says the LORD….”

Years ago a young man came to me and said, “I was sick for twenty years. Recently I got right with God, and now I am well.” While not all sickness is linked with sin, many nervous and physical disorders are associated with poor judgment and deliberate iniquity. We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Sowing good deeds and health habits plus avoiding sin or repenting of it is always the least expensive health plan.

And most important of all, the new birth in the Lord Jesus Christ, as outlined in John 3:3, 5 & 7, brings the all-wise Life Manager into one’s life, and through the Holy Spirit’s perception, we gain eternal perspective and temporal discernment.

Psalm 19:7-11 clarifies it precisely:

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.”

Dave Virkler