Entrust your health to God. If your illness or the doctor imposes something on you, accept it with the hope that through it God will accomplish what He wants.
Elder Ephraim of Mt. Athos and Arizona
Of course, our self-denial should not lead us to death (which would be suicide), nor should we have so much attentive care that it leads to self-love, but we should walk the middle road - that is, in faith we should do what is prescribed so that it is not considered to be suicide. But as to whether or not we shall get well through the means we use, in faith we leave this up to God.
My child, have patience in all your sufferings.
Illnesses provide great benefit to the soul when we endure them, as long as we blame ourselves for them, since we suffer from them primarily on account of our sins, and especially on account of our pride of heart.
I pray that you will always be healthy. But when you are ill, bear patiently the chastening of the Lord which is sent from His affectionate and immense heart.
The chastening proceeding from such a heart will never be fruitless, harmful or undiscerning.
Rather, it chastens us for our own good, for the forgiveness of our sins, for our protection, and for eternal salvation.
The heart that chastens us us the heart of God Himself, our heavenly Father. He sees all, especially the purpose of every act. He sees how you are suffering and are afflicted.
Know that He will not try you beyond your strength. Through afflictions, He brings the cleansing of your soul and its eternal salvation.
"We glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance." As His children, God disciplines us so that His features may be formed in us. It is when children bear the features of their parents that their legitimacy shows. So this is the purpose of the Lord's chastening. Your afflictions are salvific, always have hope and you will by no means be put to shame.
Glory to Thee our God.
+ Glory to Thee for All Things! +
