1957 Geloof en Wetenschap : Orgaan van de Christelijke vereeniging van natuur- en geneeskundigen in Nederland - pagina 254

RONDBLIK

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etc. Next, we review how we as a team can benefit the patient by treating him as a normal person (no Christmas in July), by showing no extremes of emotion which would communicate anxiety to him, and by helping him to live a full life without time and money traveling over the country searching for a cure if none is possible. As you can see, it is important for the doctor to spend time with the relatives, especially as the end draws near. As you learn to know and to understand them, it is possible to minister to their souls as well as to their loved one's physical needs. Now is the time that they will turn either to or against God. As you indicate that you are interested in them spiritually by offering to pray with them or to call their minister, priest, or rabbi, the relatives will give you insight into their spiritual status. Perhaps they have rebelled against God because of their sufferings: „Why has God done this to me?" You can point out that God calls us from our rebellion through pain and shatters our illusion that we are able to live without Him. As C. S. Lewis states, „God whispers in our pleasure, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." ^) Often only through pain will men listen to God and accept Jesus' love and the peace which God has to offer. Relatives will often question God's goodness if their loved one is a Christian or an innocent child and is suffering. Jesus teaches that it is inevitable in our world that His children will suffer. ,,If they have persecuted Me, they will persecute you," Jesus said, and further, „In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." We can remind them that Jesus, who was without sin, suffered the death of the cross. Peter suffered, and yet was able to write, ,.Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad with exceeding joy." Paul found his answer when he said, „Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me; for when I am weak, then am I strong." Christian relatives need to be reminded that God can use suffering in their lives to teach them to trust Him. Also, many verses tell us that adversity and suffering call forth patience, hope, and the other fruits of the Spirit. Even Jesus learned joy and obedience through suffering: „Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross" and „Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things He suffered." Anyone who will turn to God and ask why this suffering is occurring will find the answer. Often you, as the only available Christian, can be used of God to answer the questions and to help the patient and his relatives either to find Christ as Savior or to accept His will.

1) The Problem of Pain, by C. S. Lewis, The MacMillan Co., New York.

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