Faith + Action

 Over the weekend, I caught a program on TV while doing my chores. The gentleman speaking was passionate about one thing: stop asking religious leaders for medical advice. Go to doctors instead. He was specifically talking about ulcers. Every time someone feels stomach discomfort, they assume it's ulcers. And instead of visiting a clinic, they run to a pastor, a priest, an imam, or a reverend for prayer.

Now, don't get me wrong. Faith is powerful. But faith without action is not complete. There's a saying I believe it's in the book of James: "Faith without works is dead." And Yogi Sadguru puts it beautifully in Inner Engineering: just because you claim to be a good person doesn't mean good things will magically happen to you. You must do the right things. You can sit in your house all day declaring you're a good person, but the crops outside won't grow unless you go out, dig, cultivate, irrigate, and harvest. Same with health. You cannot pray away a medical condition while ignoring the doctor's prescription.

Why does this happen: Trust, people believe their leaders have divine answers. Fear, hospitals feel intimidating or expensive. Hope, desperation makes them cling to miracles.

I have heard many wise religious leaders themselves say, "Go to the doctor first. Get your results. Take your medication. And then we will pray for God's healing upon that treatment." That is the right way. But here's the problem. Many people are desperate. Some are illiterate. Some are simply scared. They trust their spiritual leaders deeply. And with that trust comes enormous responsibility.

If you have been given the gift of leadership spiritual or otherwise guide your people correctly. If someone comes to you with stomach pain, pray with them. Give them hope. Then hold their hand and say, "Now go to the hospital. Take your medicine. Do the right action."

Otherwise, their condition worsens. And that affects not only them but everyone who believed with them. 

We as followers must also take responsibility: Pray, but act. See a doctor. Take your medication. Let’s build a world where faith and wisdom coexist where no one has to choose between prayer and the doctor’s office, but can embrace both for true healing.