Trusting Jehovah Rapha!!

After years of self medicating, not having proper health and dental checkups, I was not surprised at the health and dental issues that I needed to have sorted out. I often wondered about the years of self medication that the children of Israel faced when they were going through the desert. I am sure that they would have had traditional healers. Most of all, they had the number one Master physician himself, the Great Jehovah Rapha! He kept them whole body soul and spirit and he had Moses overseeing things!

There are some people who don’t go to doctors, don’t believe in medical sciences or take any form of medication at all because of a variety of reasons. Some believe that they will be healed by GOD; others don’t approve/trust the chemicals found in a lot of drugs and their side effects. Of course we all need to be wary and skeptical of a lot of man made stuff.

Do I believe that GOD will heal me? Of course! I believe 100%! GOD can heal me all by himself without any help from man. I also believe that GOD uses man to do a lot of things, so that he is glorified when the impossible is made possible, and that we are all living testimonies of GOD’s goodness, grace and mercy! I believe that GOD empowered man to develop skills including the sciences!

Over the past couple of weeks, when I see Bishop Ronald King’s selfies taken at the dentist, I smile, because I am going through the same if not worse. Last December I eventually booked an appointment to see my old dentist after enduring months of pain. Needless to say, everything about the practice has changed. It was no longer the place that cared about the patients; it was all about money, as they had even merged with a bigger group. After three unsatisfactory appointments, during which I was patronized and non of the issues I presented were dealt with, I tried without success to talk to the practice manager, then wrote a letter to the practice manager voicing my complaints, but never got a reply. Still trying to give them a chance, I asked to see one of the senior dentists for a second opinion, and he did not do any proper examination, but literally colluded with the other dentist, told me nothing much was wrong and that all I needed was regular professional cleaning and that I must have sensitive teeth.

Every time I was there they were getting paid, so I decided to do something. I asked one of the nurses at my GP’s surgery/primary physician, for recommendation of a good dentist in the area, she told me about one that she had years ago. I called and was given an appointment to be seen within 72 hours. First impression of the new practice was great. I was treated with courtesy, care and true professionalism. The dentist who saw me explained step by step what she was doing, did an initial thorough examination which included x-rays. At the end of the first visit I was horrified at what was discovered.

I finally knew why I had been in so much pain over the years. After the initial examination, at least 8-10 issues that needed correction were discovered. These includes couple of root canals, fillings that were done incorrectly to be removed and redone, bridge work to be corrected, caps to be redone! I have since started the treatments and have some way to go. I have to go on a weekly basis. Last week I had one of the root canals done! Even the sound of the drills makes me cringe with pain!!

GOD works in such marvelous and mysterious ways! He knew that the old dentists were no longer right for me and he exposed their incompetence and total disregard for people, and he then directed to where I should be. I also had a part to play, by listening to his voice, when he told me to find the new dentist. When GOD promised all things new and new beginnings, I did not think that it included the dentist as well (smile). One thing I know is that my father will make sure that I get the best of every thing at the end of the day.

Some times we don’t know how, when or where our healing will come from, take the case of when Naaman was told by the prophet Elisha in 2^nd kings chapter 5 to go was in the river Jordan, he did like it as he thought that was beneath him. He actually had his preference of what rivers he would like to have a wash in, imagine that! When he obeyed the prophet, he was cured!

We sometimes try to hold on to old and familiar people and places and don’t want to change, regardless of the pain and discomfort we are encountering. We have to trust GOD when he closes doors and tells us to move on. We should stop trying to force our way back in to places where he has removed us. Some of us might encounter pain at various times in our lives, but that will not last forever.

I know the Healer; the Great Physician is in the house! By his stripes I am healed! I have been made whole! To GOD BE THE GLORY!