The Saviour in His miracles revealed the power that is continually at work in man's behalf, to sustain and to heal him. Through the agencies of nature, God is working, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment, to keep us alive, to build up and restore us. When any part of the body sustains injury, a healing process is at once begun; nature's agencies are set at work to restore soundness. But the power working through these agencies is the power of God. All life-giving power is from Him. When one recovers from disease, it is God who restores him.

Sickness, suffering and death are the work of an antagonistic power. Satan is the destroyer; God is the Restorer.

Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings, - as much a duty as it is to pray. If we are heaven-bound, how can we go as a band of mourners, groaning and complaining all along the way to the Father's house?

"Let the peace of God rule in your hearts;...and be ye thankful." (Colossians 3:15).

 

When some one asks how you are feeling, do not try to think of something mournful to tell in order to gain sympathy. Do not talk of your lack of faith and your sorrows and sufferings. The tempter delights to hear such words. When talking on gloomy subjects, you are glorifying him. We are not to dwell on the great power of Satan to overcome us. Often we give ourselves into his hands by talking of his power. Let us talk instead of the great power of God to bind up all our interests with His own. Tell of the matchless power of Christ, and speak of His glory. All heaven is interested in our salvation. The angels of God, thousands upon thousands, and ten thousands times ten thousand, are commissioned to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation.
(Hebrews 1:14). They guard us against evil, and press back the powers of darkness that are seeking our destruction. Have we not reason to be thankful every moment, thankful even when there are apparent difficulties in our pathway?

"Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: For His mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy." (Psalms 107:1,2).

"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; But we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, Not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: Lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

We need to learn that indulged appetite is the greatest hindrance to mental improvement and soul sanctification.