"…we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"1 John 2:1
Spiritually, we have an advocate. Jesus speaks for us, pleads for us, defends and helps us. So what is an advocate? It is a person who publicly supports or pleads another’s cause.
When it comes to your health, or your parents' health, or your children’s health, you also need an advocate, someone fighting for you and is on your side. I do not think sub-par care is entirely the fault of health care workers. Quite the contrary. They often go above and beyond. Often, a doctor's hands are tied to protocol over practice. In real life, because we need no convincing that it’s not a perfect world, not everything falls nicely in a box of medical protocol.
Personally, if we followed the CDC guidelines for our family's Lyme battles, not everyone in my house would be alive (this is stated not for drama, but as a fact). On more than one occasion, protocol has been two weeks of antibiotics, and my child needed far more because it was obvious they still struggled with a bacterial infection. We have had to be an advocate for our child.
For someone who hates confrontation, this can be nerve-wracking. It has also caused us to make unpopular choices (or at least not mainstream). I was a child who had a vaccine reaction, while there was a big government push in the ‘70’s, “no shots, no school.” My timid mother stood for us and said, “I don’t care what they say, they won’t do that to my child again.”
Many people can follow traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals with no issues. If you claim that you are into natural health, then put your money where your mouth is: read labels; stop the sugar gluttony; exercise, get rest, and read the side effects of ANY medication. Are you really a ”natural health person" when your body is chemically laden? If you are full of additives and preservatives, you may be missing the goal of natural health care. There is more to it than choosing broccoli as your side.
Be alert. No one and no thing is one-size-fits-all. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own health or lack of it. If it has a label, SOMEONE is making money off you. Ford dealers, tend to think that Fords are best, so realize EVERYONE has a point of view and a vested interest. If you are kind and passive, it will be hard for you to imagine that someone would NOT have your best interest at heart. And if you think being passive is Godly?
There ARE times to stand; history and Scripture records this. With all reverence and not meant in any trite manner, God has opinions. (If you are out of sync with Him, He sure is NOT Passive!!!!) Healthcare is written on paper not stone; there are variety of choices and options. It’s ok to firmly say, "No, I don’t do such things."
We live in fearful and turbulent times. None of it surprised God. When Jesus called us sheep, it wasn’t a compliment. It was because He felt bad for us for being so ignorant and easily led astray. How much harder to navigate when you are suffering or ill. If God has given you strength, then help. And it is NOT complaining to tell your doctor or their doctor, “I understand this is protocol, but it’s not working. Can we think outside the box?" (On a side note, be willing to sign a waiver…I won’t need this procedure, because I won’t be aborting.)
Let’s not be wolves and go after the weakest in the heard. Caring for those who need a helping hand is messy. People are messy. They come with issues, baggage and per- so- nail- I- ty!!! Don’t put someone down for being down.
When it comes to your health, or your parents' health, or your children’s health, you also need an advocate, someone fighting for you and is on your side. I do not think sub-par care is entirely the fault of health care workers. Quite the contrary. They often go above and beyond. Often, a doctor's hands are tied to protocol over practice. In real life, because we need no convincing that it’s not a perfect world, not everything falls nicely in a box of medical protocol.
Personally, if we followed the CDC guidelines for our family's Lyme battles, not everyone in my house would be alive (this is stated not for drama, but as a fact). On more than one occasion, protocol has been two weeks of antibiotics, and my child needed far more because it was obvious they still struggled with a bacterial infection. We have had to be an advocate for our child.
For someone who hates confrontation, this can be nerve-wracking. It has also caused us to make unpopular choices (or at least not mainstream). I was a child who had a vaccine reaction, while there was a big government push in the ‘70’s, “no shots, no school.” My timid mother stood for us and said, “I don’t care what they say, they won’t do that to my child again.”
Many people can follow traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals with no issues. If you claim that you are into natural health, then put your money where your mouth is: read labels; stop the sugar gluttony; exercise, get rest, and read the side effects of ANY medication. Are you really a ”natural health person" when your body is chemically laden? If you are full of additives and preservatives, you may be missing the goal of natural health care. There is more to it than choosing broccoli as your side.
Be alert. No one and no thing is one-size-fits-all. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own health or lack of it. If it has a label, SOMEONE is making money off you. Ford dealers, tend to think that Fords are best, so realize EVERYONE has a point of view and a vested interest. If you are kind and passive, it will be hard for you to imagine that someone would NOT have your best interest at heart. And if you think being passive is Godly?
There ARE times to stand; history and Scripture records this. With all reverence and not meant in any trite manner, God has opinions. (If you are out of sync with Him, He sure is NOT Passive!!!!) Healthcare is written on paper not stone; there are variety of choices and options. It’s ok to firmly say, "No, I don’t do such things."
We live in fearful and turbulent times. None of it surprised God. When Jesus called us sheep, it wasn’t a compliment. It was because He felt bad for us for being so ignorant and easily led astray. How much harder to navigate when you are suffering or ill. If God has given you strength, then help. And it is NOT complaining to tell your doctor or their doctor, “I understand this is protocol, but it’s not working. Can we think outside the box?" (On a side note, be willing to sign a waiver…I won’t need this procedure, because I won’t be aborting.)
Let’s not be wolves and go after the weakest in the heard. Caring for those who need a helping hand is messy. People are messy. They come with issues, baggage and per- so- nail- I- ty!!! Don’t put someone down for being down.
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."Psalm 34:18
Caring or stepping up or speaking up, when someone needs an advocate, is hard. Just because it’s hard, doesn’t make it wrong. There is no perfect situation or perfect person to help. Being an advocate is about them- not you. Like Christ - our Perfect Spiritual Advocate - we need to have their best interest in the forefront. God always does what is best for us. Wake up and do what is best for them. Even if it’s not comfortable for you, even if you stand alone, even if it’s hard, and sometimes you know it’s right because it’s all of these things.
If you physically cannot advocate for someone, plead their cause in prayer. I remember when our daughters birth mother was changing her mind about our adoption, and one of the MANY things God showed me was that I needed to pray for this girl. Even if we never adopted her, she was shown to us to pray for her.
As healthcare gets more and more complex, we may be called upon to care more for our family members outside of medical settings. Your perfect home may be disrupted. All your five senses may be offended. There are a lot of earthly issues to address when you care. Often, God will give you strength or a voice you didn’t know you had. Someone has to stand for the ones you love; it might be you.
If you physically cannot advocate for someone, plead their cause in prayer. I remember when our daughters birth mother was changing her mind about our adoption, and one of the MANY things God showed me was that I needed to pray for this girl. Even if we never adopted her, she was shown to us to pray for her.
As healthcare gets more and more complex, we may be called upon to care more for our family members outside of medical settings. Your perfect home may be disrupted. All your five senses may be offended. There are a lot of earthly issues to address when you care. Often, God will give you strength or a voice you didn’t know you had. Someone has to stand for the ones you love; it might be you.
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."Deuteronomy 31:6
Joyfully serving her Saviour in her blessed position of wife and mother, Dr. Michelle Zarrillo has a unique perspective on health related issues. As a working chiropractor and an avid reader, she has many opportunities to practice that which she learns. Educating her children at home and discovering their special needs has further challenged her to examine the connection between the physical, mental and spiritual realms of the human nature. Her passion for healthier living and her quest for the Creator’s ways of healing keep her pressing forward in search of truth.
Read Michelle’s salvation testimony here and her articles here.
Comments 1
Thank you.