Book Review on The Gift of Health by Dominguez - Essay Example

The of the book is The Gift of Health: When Faith and Medicine Agree – and When They Don’t by Richard H. Dominguez. This book is written from a Christian perspective about, as the name suggests, how and when faith helps in healing as well as when the “miracles” of healing can be attributed to one’s faith in God. The writer is a medical doctor and a Christian, who explains the reasons behind sickness as well as healing and what it means in the larger scheme of things. He basically drives home the fact that no matter what the reason for one’s health and healing, i.e. whether it is with the help of a doctor or through other miracles, it is ultimately through God that it happens.

He answers the ultimate question that arises when a person himself or his loved ones get sick; the “why?” that comes to our lips almost instantaneously when we hear about some serious illness that has befallen us or our loved ones. Not only that, Dominguez attempts to give guidance to such people as to what to do to be of actual help to the sick person and how to get through the difficult situation with ease and grace. It is a good read for those who are caught up in a difficult situation like this and do not know what to do, as well as for those who have not had such an experience yet as an aid for the future possibility of such an event.

The purpose of the book is:To help those who are sick to get through their sickness with the help of faith,To guide those whose loved ones are sick to be of actual help,To strengthen the faith of such people as it might dwindle due to the hardship they are confronted with, andTo believe that ultimately sickness and health both have a purpose and both come from God.Strengths:Helps understand the larger picture behind life,Increases faith when it is needed the most,Lets one be of use truly in dire circumstances and when, perhaps, it is needed the most, andLeaves one at peace with whatever the future holds for them and their dear ones.

Weaknesses:Does not fully answer the reason behind miracles,Is from a Christian perspective only, andLeaves questions unanswered for non-Christians.Lessons from the book:It helped me realise that there is a reason behind everything that befalls me,It gave me a sense of hope for the future,It strengthened my belief in God and His Wisdom, andIt gave me practical advice for what to do when and if I or any of my loved ones ever fall sick. Bibliography:Dominguez, Richard H. The Gift of Health: When Faith and Medicine Agree – and When They Don’t. David C. Cook Publishing Co., 1987.