To your Health
Are you a Grazer
Frank Hurd
02/28/2015
A patient (we’ll call her Mary) who suffered from headaches, acid reflux, and weakness came into our office looking for help—a quick fix. She was familiar with several over-the-counter remedies offered at the local pharmacy, which in the past had given her some relief. Now, however, the pills no longer helped.
She explained her desire to seek relief without the use of prescription drugs and was willing to discuss her problem to find a solution. After reviewing her lab results and lifestyle habits, we suggested she keep a journal of her food intake for one week, recording what she ate at every meal.
“Oh no,” she replied. “I can’t do that. I don’t eat regular meals. I’m a grazer! I nibble on food all day long!”
“That’s very interesting,” I replied. “All the grazers I know have four feet, but you have only two.”
She started laughing and said, “That’s funny! You’re so right, and that is so very true!”
During her visit we talked about lifestyle habits and the benefits of caring for our “body temple.”
“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Cor. 6:19); and “Ye are the temple of the living God” (2 Cor. 6:16). A simple dietary plan, a copy of the Ten Talents cookbook, and two herbal formulas were sent home with her.
Two weeks later at her next appointment, she remarked that she was feeling so much better.
“I’ve had a few frustrating moments when conscience would prick me every time I wanted to eat something between the meals,” she said. “Then I would remember the ‘four feet’ and drink a glass of water instead. Now I’m eating with my family at mealtime. I’m not a grazer anymore!”
How is it with you? Can you relate to Mary? Can you say, “My frustration has turned to joy, and defeat into victory, for now I know I’m not a grazer; I’m a child of God, made in His image, with two feet”?
When we realize we are sons and daughters of God, made in His image, we can safely put our trust in Him, first and foremost, to accomplish the impossible, for we read, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).
As time marches on, we are constantly reminded of the statement in Testimonies, volume 5, page 443: “There are many ways of practicing the healing art, but there is only one way that heaven approves.” What is that one way? God’s true remedies are the simple agencies of nature that will not tax or debilitate the BY DR. FRANK & ROSALIE HURD ARE YOU A GRAZER? 6 | Inside ASI Winter/Spring 2015 system. His remedies—pure air, sunlight, temperance, rest, exercise, proper diet, use of water, trust in divine power—are basically free gifts for us that contain tremendous blessings, if we will only put them into practice. But of ourselves it is impossible.
Jesus said, “For without me…ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Nothing means nothing!
“With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27).
It is interesting to note that the vision given to Ellen White in 1863 concerning our health message included six of the natural remedies. However, trust in God as a divine remedy for healing was of necessity given 22 years later in 1885. Apparently, without trust in divine power, the people were not doing very well at following the natural remedies by themselves.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases” (Psalm 103:2,3).
The lessons of our divine teacher are always appropriate. He called the attention of the people by using parables and object lessons in nature—the birds, the flowers, the animals, and their dependence upon God, the Creator of all things. This would bring the people into harmony with nature and nature’s God, revealing his character and love for humankind and pointing them heavenward.
The work of the physician does not end with healing a patient’s maladies of the body; his efforts should extend to healing the diseases of the mind and the saving of souls.
“The religion of the Bible is not detrimental to the health of the body or of the mind. The influence of the Spirit of God is the very best medicine that can be received by a sick man or woman” (Medical Ministry, 12).
Often when praying with our patients, we observe them develop hope, trust, and confidence, and we can point them to the true Physician and real Healer of their disease.
“Prayer will give the sick an abiding confidence, and many times if their cases are borne to the Great Physician in humble trust, prayer will do more for them than all the drugs that can be administered” (Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 443).
As medical missionaries, we are called today to follow Jesus’ example and to do the work that He did while on this earth. Throughout 50 years of practice, we have seen the wisdom and benefit of following the counsel given in The Ministry of Healing, page 143: “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them ‘Follow Me.’”
