One statement that is often used to criticize traditional medicine is that it’s nothing more than a Band-Aid. We are inundated by claims on social media that traditional medicine doesn’t want to get to the root of the problem.
Although I have spent my career working in traditional medicine, I don’t disagree with the main conclusion. It is always better to get to the root of the issue. At the same time, I am not aware of any treatment guidelines that don’t address lifestyle changes that will help the suffering. And medical research is always searching for the cause of disease, although it’s often more complicated than one root issue.
Band-Aids in Discipleship
Similar statements are often made in the context of discipleship. We don’t want to only share life hacks to fix the surface issues in people’s lives, we need to get to the heart of the issue. What are they believing (or not believing) about God that is causing them to act in a certain way?
But Band-Aids serve a purpose. They are of course not the cause of healing, but they can certainly aid the process.
Band-Aids Contain the Damage
Have you ever had a cut that wouldn’t stop bleeding? Even a minor injury can make a mess. Band-Aids staunch the flow until the body has a chance to form scab. The body can, of course, do this without the Band-Aid, but it can prevent you from ruining your carpet and your clothes while you wait.
Band-Aids Keep Impurities Out
Experts in first aid will now state that most cuts don’t need a Band-Aid—as long as you can keep the injured area clean. But if you cannot do that, covering the area can keep out dirt and bacteria until the area can heal.
Band-Aids Can prevent Re-Injury
The last time I used a Band-Aid was to cover blisters on my feet. I was about to wear shoes that I knew would rub the sensitive areas, and I didn’t want to make them worse.
As a pharmacist, I would always recommend lifestyle changes for those with chronic illnesses. Exercise, eat well, get sleep, reduce stress, seek counseling. Not everyone can completely reverse the effects of disease by these things, but some can. And those who can’t will see a vast improvement in their health if they take these measures.
But the “Band-Aid” solutions that social media influencers love to disparage are a wonderful tool in the meantime. They can prevent the long term damage many conditions wreak on our bodies. They can also help people feel better, so they are then more able to implement important lifestyle changes.
The Practical and the Spiritual
The same is true of discipleship. We should never ignore the spiritual help we all require. Nor can we address only the spiritual and ignore the practical help people need. As it says in James 2:16, “If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
If someone is overspending, we may need to help them with a budget while we address the spiritual reason they are seeking satisfaction in material things. If a marriage is in crisis, we may need to offer child care along with our best counsel.
Jesus as the Ultimate Healer
Jesus came to earth to seek and save the lost, but he never ignored the practical needs. He provided food and physical healing. He told his disciples not to fear, but also calmed the storm. We should never stop at the “Band-Aid” solution, but we shouldn’t ignore it either. People ultimately need to the healing only Christ can provide, and we should always lead people to the throne. But we can also be the hands and feet of Jesus in the meantime.
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