27 & 28 June 2026 (Pastoral Page) WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH? 🤔

by Asst Ps Patrick Chan Yin

Over the past few weeks, my family and I spent some time back in Mauritius caring for my elderly mother. What initially seemed like a routine medical issue turned out to be much more serious. After several weeks of high BP, low heart rate, and persistent insomnia, further investigations revealed that her pacemaker was actually faulty. The lead had broken in two places. By God's grace, she had an urgent minor procedure to replace the pacemaker, and her condition improved significantly.

However, the story did not end here. Doctors also discovered that one of her heart valves had become severely calcified and would need to be replaced soon. Another procedure (key-hole surgery). Another risk. Another substantial financial cost.

My mother is 84 years old and a devoted follower of Christ. One question she has been asking is, "Is it really worth it?"

From her perspective, she has lived a full life. She knows Christ personally and possesses the sure hope of eternal life. She is not afraid of death. In fact, she looks forward to the day when she will see her Lord and Saviour face to face. Why spend millions of Rupees on another surgery when she may only have a few more years left?

I am sure many elderly Christians wrestle with similar questions.

On the one hand, Scripture teaches us not to cling desperately to this present life. The apostle Paul could say, "To live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). For believers, death is not the end but the doorway into God's presence. As Christians grow older, heaven becomes increasingly real and precious.

Yet, on the other hand, Scripture also teaches us to value the life God has given us. Our bodies are gifts from God and temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Seeking medical treatment is not a lack of faith. Throughout history, Christians have viewed medicine as one of God's common graces to alleviate suffering and preserve life.

This creates a real and genuine tension: Should an elderly believer pursue treatment or simply let nature take its course?

Admittedly, Scripture does not command us either to pursue every possible treatment or to refuse medical intervention. Instead, Christians are called to make wise, prayerful, and faith-filled decisions.

Several guiding questions may help:

First, what is the likely outcome of the treatment? Is it intended merely to prolong suffering, or does it offer a realistic opportunity for meaningful life and service?

Second, what are the burdens involved? These may include physical pain, emotional stress, financial cost, and the impact on loved ones.

Third, what are the motives of the heart? Are we pursuing treatment because we fear death, or declining treatment because we feel like a burden? Neither fear nor guilt should be the primary driver of our decisions.

Fourth, what counsel are we receiving from trusted family members, medical professionals, and mature believers?

For family members, this journey can be equally challenging. We naturally want our loved ones to remain with us for as long as possible. Yet love sometimes means holding them with open hands. We must be careful not to insist on treatment simply because we are not ready to let go.

Ultimately, the goal is not merely to extend life but to honor God in whatever time He grants. Whether He gives additional years through medical intervention or calls a believer home sooner than expected, our confidence rests in His sovereign goodness.

The psalmist reminds us, "My times are in your hands" (Psalm 31:15).

That truth brings peace. Our lives are not determined solely by medical technology, financial resources, or even our own choices. They remain securely in the hands of our loving Heavenly Father.

For older Christians facing difficult health decisions, and for families walking alongside them, perhaps the question is not simply, "Is it worth it?" Rather, it is, "How can we best honor the Lord with the life He has entrusted to us, for however long He chooses to give it?"

And that is a question worth bringing before Him in prayer. 🙏🏼