Faith

from December 2020

Like a Thief in the Rapture?

by Wendy Pierce

Hebrews 11:1-2 “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality-faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. For by this [kind of] faith the men of old gained [divine] approval.”

This year has been a difficult year for many individuals. Many individuals have lost their jobs, lost their homes, some individuals have been sick with the coronavirus, lost loved ones and friends because of the coronavirus, some have been sick with other illnesses, and some have lost loved ones from other causes. I have watched some of the people that I have known all of my life die and leave their families devasted, watched people lose their jobs, and receive diagnoses of illnesses that are incurable.

Times like these require an extra dose of faith. I like the way the Amplified Bible interprets Hebrews 11:1-2. Faith is the assurance of the things we hoped for. The Amplified Bible gives us the definition of assurance as a title deed or confirmation. A title deed in real estate means that we own something. Many times, God gives us a promise and it may seem like it will never come to pass. We have to remember those promises and remember the things He promised us and the things that we hoped for are divinely guaranteed.

The reality is that we are unable to see those things in the natural that have been promised by God. Our faith needs to be the kind of faith the “men of old” had. Men like Moses who led the children of Israel through the wilderness to the promised land or Joseph who was sold in slavery by his brothers only to become a leader in the house of Pharaoh who saved countless lives during a famine. It was this kind of faith that caused ordinary people to lead extraordinary 30 // December 2020

lives and change the course of history.

One of my favorite artists from the 80s is Kim Boyce. She sang some of the most uplifting and encouraging songs. One of my favorite songs that she recorded was “Faith.” I

encourage you and go to you tube and look for this song. These are the words to the first verse and chorus:

“When the future starts to look a little grim And you're weary 'cause your faith is wearing thin And that ray of hope somehow just won't shine through Never giving up is all we have to do 'Cause faith can move the highest mountain Turn deserts into fountains And part the mighty waters of the deepest sea Faith can make a broken heart mend Bring the rain from heaven Faith can even change the course of history”

About The Author Wendy Pierce is an economics instructor at a private university. Wendy has an MBA from Lee University and a Master of Arts degree in Economics from MTSU. She will be pursuing a PhD in Economic Policy from Liberty University.

Doctor On Call: Questions About Breastfeeding

by Laura Asbury

How does your dual role as a pediatrician and lactation consultant help moms with breastfeeding?

One of the biggest stresses for new moms is breastfeeding. Even though it’s completely natural, it’s not always easy. I’ve seen many tearful moms in my office who were experiencing a painful latch, concerned about their milk supply, or worried about other breastfeeding problems. As a pediatrician who is certified in lactation counseling, I can provide some much-needed support for these moms, and it’s a great way to help my little patients get off to a healthy start.

What are some advantages for babies who breastfeed?

The advantages of breastfeeding for babies go far beyond filling up a hungry belly. Breast milk is the best food for babies during the first year of life (with the addition of baby foods after six months). In addition to the perfect balance of nutrients to help a baby grow, breast milk helps reduce illnesses like ear infections, pneumonia, and diarrhea, as well as lowering the impact of respiratory illnesses.

Breastfeeding helps decrease the incidence of asthma and eczema. The rates of obesity and type 1 diabetes are much lower in breastfed infants as compared to formula-fed infants, and breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and childhood leukemia.

How can mothers benefit from breastfeeding?

There are several maternal benefits of breastfeeding, and lactation plays an important role in a woman’s longterm health. Breastfeeding can help lower the lifetime risks of metabolic disease often associated with insulin resistance and high cholesterol brought on during pregnancy.

It can also reduce maternal obesity and lower the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease (including heart attacks). Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes after developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce a mother’s risk for endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers. Long-term studies have shown that the longer a woman breastfeeds, the more she can reduce her breast cancer risk, particularly in the most aggressive forms of the disease.

What kind of support do you give breastfeeding moms?

I encourage my patients often because they need to hear the effort they’re making for their own health and the longterm health of their baby is the first step in helping them be successful in this endeavor.

I tell my patients that breastfeeding is a labor of love because it’s not always an easy, painless journey. Infants often need to be fed every 1-3 hours for the first few weeks of life. This can create mental and physical exhaustion for the mom on top of the fluctuating hormones that occur after delivery.

I can offer successful strategies for breastfeeding, address factors that have a negative impact on the motherbaby bond, and support them through difficult seasons which make lifelong impacts for both mom and baby.

About The Author

Laura Asbury, MD, CLC, is a pediatrician with Beacon’s Children’s Diagnostic Center who has more than 15 years’ experience caring for children and has recently become a certified lactation counselor to give new moms and babies added support in their breastfeeding journey. She earned her medical degree from the University of Tennessee School of Medicine and completed her residency at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga.

TRACY LEE