This question is for The Apprentice. Does practicing medicine ever dull you to the things of God, do you find yourself questioning things like, does life begin at conception, etc? Do you ever wonder if there is truly life after death? How do you deal with losing a patient d can you get used to the sight of blood? As a Christian woman I am thinking of doing medicine but afraid of what the repercussions may be for my spiritual life, is there a branch of medicine where there is not too much blood and I can keep my spirituality? Thanks

Abrette

Dear Abrette,

I can’t even express the joy with which I am answering this question because during my “journey” as a doctor, I have come to realize that there many misconceptions about the possibility of being a believer and also being in the health field. This is an excellent question and I have to thank you for sending it in. In order to ensure I fully answer this question, I am going to break it up into bits.

Here we go…

Abrette: Does practicing medicine ever dull you to the things of God, do you find yourself questioning things like, does life begin at conception, etc?

The Apprentice:I became a born again Christian before I went to medical school so by the time I started learning medicine, I was pretty much set in my idea of who God was in my life. I knew he was the creator of all things and that was NEVER to be questioned. Actually, medicine made me more in awe of God because as I learned how the body works, it was such a great testimony to the greatness, might, vastness and wisdom of God. Don’t get me wrong I do know some Christians might start doubting especially when faced with “popular evidence” but to the glory of God, I never had to battle within myself over the existence of God and was quite ready to give an answer when questioned by my atheist classmates/professors.

A:Do you ever wonder if there is truly life after death?

TA: Abrette, I know for FACT that there is life after death. Why? Because my bible tells me so!! Even though I am a doctor, I do not take spiritual direction from my medical textbooks. Yes, when it comes to treating a stomachache, I might look to my textbooks for dosages and procedures but when it comes to my life, faith, trust and walk; I look unto God (the author and finisher of my faith) and to his explicit word, the Bible.

A:How do you deal with losing a patient and can you get used to the sight of blood?

TA:Hmm, how do I deal with death? Well I see death as part the circle of life but when it comes to people (from family to patients), I am more concerned about where they are going to spend their eternity. Life is such a “flash” when compared to the length of eternity so salvation is the more important question!
In regards to blood and such; I won’t lie, being a doctor hardens you a bit so death, blood, gore (surgery/accidents) and sickness might not shock me as much as it shocks you because it is my job. If you came to me with a cut and I spent 2 hrs screaming at the sight, I wouldn’t be a good doctor would I? (LOL) Indifference is a kind of defense mechanism doctors have to develop in order to protect their own vulnerability, sanity and to keep working.

A: As a Christian woman I am thinking of doing medicine but afraid of what the repercussions may be for my spiritual life, is there a branch of medicine where there is not too much blood and i can keep my spirituality?

TA:Medicine is a very hard and demanding field and the first thing you have to ask yourself is “Is this the will of God for my life”. I am not a doctor for wealth (by the way doctors are not as wealthy as you might think) but because I know without a SHADOW of a doubt that this is where God planned for me to be. It is not for the faint of “spiritual heart” because you will ALWAYS come across classmates, co-workers and patients who will call you a fool for believing in an invisible God. You have to be confident in your own walk and salvation and determine that no matter what you hear or learn, you will be unshakeable in your beliefs. The repercussions possible are the one you personally allow into your life and I see them not being more dangerous than the usual temptations of this life. Just as one might pray to defeat the temptation of lying, you could also pray to defeat the temptation of doubt. Sin is sin and whether you are a doctor or a teacher teaching evolution , you will come upon battles.

I have to vehemently state that medicine is not a “sin”. A lot of Christians believe that seeing a doctor or taking medicine is wrong but this is not true. I know that as long as you don’t make that man, that syringe or that medicine your God, you can be blameless. My motto is “God is the great physician, I am just an Apprentice” because I understand that I cannot heal ANYONE! It is God who ultimately chooses to show mercy.

Lastly, there are many areas of medicine that does not deal with blood. For example, you can be a pathologist who remains solely in the laboratory looking under a microscope, you can become a dermatologist who deals mostly with “bad skin”, and you can become an optometrist (you will have a DO next to your name rather than an MD) who deals with eye diseases and so forth. Medicine is a broad field that can give you as much satisfaction as you desire. I hope I answered your questions!

Stay blessed
T

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