Following Doctor’s Orders

by Cheryl L. Dunson

Acareless accident, which led to a life-threatening situation, made me realize how not following a doctor’s orders can have the same repercussions as not following God’s will for our lives. They can both result in unsolicited reproach, unnecessary complications, and unforeseen consequences in our lives.

After running into the house from a rain storm, I tripped over a rug. I thought I’d twisted my ankle, but I went to the hospital the next morning to be safe rather than sorry. I thought an x-ray would be prudent and rule out a broken bone. Obviously, Dr. Dunson (who has no medical training or expertise) was wrong. I learned I’d fractured my ankle.

As the nurse in the emergency room was putting a splint on my leg—and giving me instructions to rest and stay off my feet—I refused the prescription for pain medicine and decided to suck it up. I returned to work the next day and hobbled around. Within a few days, my entire body ached, and a few days later, I realized something was terribly wrong with my chest.

A return visit to the emergency room revealed a blood clot in my lung, which I never imagined could be the direct result of walking on a broken foot or leg. Instead of a few days off work, I was hospitalized and then ordered to two weeks of bed rest.

While the outpouring of love and concern from my friends and church family was emotionally overwhelming but appreciated, I spent much time contemplating the stupidity of my decision to ignore the doctor’s order. I also had time to reflect on how ignoring God’s will for our lives can lead to tragic results.

The nurse might have gotten more of my attention if she’d said, “Stay off your foot or you can develop a blood clot.” But, since she was the medical professional, I should’ve heeded her original advice without question. Similarly, when we ignore or question God’s direction for our lives, we’re abandoning our faith in Him and trusting on our own understanding, which is usually never fruitful.

According to the New International Version Life Application Bible, persistence is good, but stubbornness is usually self-centered. Likewise, stubbornness towards God is always disobedience. We’re told to avoid disobedience because the consequences may spill onto others or create greater problems (Ex. 8:15). We can choose to be close to God or to go our own way, but there are consequences resulting from our choices. Samson didn’t choose to be captured, but he chose to be with Delilah. Sadly, he couldn’t escape the consequences of his decision (Judges 16:21). Finally, many of the plans we set in motion cannot be reversed. It’s best to think of the potential consequences before we launch into action we may later regret (Matthew 27:3-4). When I finally returned to work and my boss asked me how I was feeling, I simply replied, “Not listening to the doctor is like not listening to God.”