The rise of prescription drug use
Recently the Associated Press reported that according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 130 million Americans use prescription drugs. That's up two-thirds over the past 10 years.
The growing business is multifaceted and includes healthy clients taking preventive medication to arrest serious illnesses they fear may develop. The study also reported antidepressants and heart medicine as two of the leading medicines prescribed.
People naturally take steps to live a long and happy life. But the article pointed out the many downsides to Americans' overwhelming trust that prescriptions are a magic elixir of health.
The question of how to live a healthy life is not confined to today's headlines. Perhaps a long-term answer to good health is the same answer Jesus gave to spiritual seekers over 2,000 years ago.
An account in the book of Luke describes a lawyer who asked the Master, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live" (Luke 10:25-28).
Love God, Spirit, with all your heart and all your mind. And your neighbor as yourself. If we look at ourselves as material beings, this demand may seem unreasonable. But as we wake up to the spiritual reality of our being, this demand is natural. An eternal, healthy, purposeful life is natural. This is the spiritual medicine Jesus prescribed. Mary Baker Eddy described the Science of spiritual healing in her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."
A sweet and simple message: Embrace and love Spirit, God, and not matter, and you will have a healthy life. Not just a long life. As we allow our thoughts, our love, our being to unite with Love, God, our life will have depth and purpose. Our life will blossom.
Medical studies acknowledge the power of forgiveness to heal. How insightful this Bible verse is that it still speaks to humanity today, telling us and future generations that the long-term answer to humanity's state of mind and body is founded in Love.
Through his love of God and humanity, Jesus healed mental illness, fevers, and leprosy, and even overcame death. The base of this medicine lies in understanding our purely spiritual nature and loving with all our heart and mind the spiritual Creator who formed us.
For several years I suffered from severe depression. At times, I stayed in bed for days, unable even to shower. I wanted health and did not want to live the rest of my life taking medication. Instead, I committed myself to understanding the power of Jesus' healing message for a healthy, purposeful life.
Over several months I read the Bible and Science and Health for insight on how to allow Love, God - instead of the dark images, memories, and fears - to penetrate my thinking. I also worked with a Christian Science practitioner for prayerful insight and help. Step by step, a clearer and sweeter understanding of what it means to love God with all my heart grew. When the spiraling thoughts of depression started, I would insist that God, Love, was what I cherished and adored. And that Love cherished and adored me.
One particularly hard afternoon I was feeling buried. A gentle thought said, "Look up." Although my eyes were closed, I persisted until I could look to God in prayer. As I gave in and accepted the existence of Love, God, an awareness of spiritual reality filled my thought, pushing out the darkness. Obediently I lifted my head in humble prayer, like a swimmer breaking through the surface of water after being submerged, and the dark dream broke. A warm joy of living in the presence of God enveloped me like the warmth of the sun on a summer day. I never had an episode like that again, and within a few weeks all symptoms of the depression disappeared permanently.
What a joy it is to know the bliss of loving God - a safe, spiritual answer to humanity's needs.
I will restore health unto thee.
Jeremiah 30:17
