The Target You Focus On Makes All The Difference. Just Ask The Bull.
In the realm of healthcare, there are two distinct approaches: secular, commercial medicine and medical ministry. The difference between these two is not simply a matter of treatment methods or technology; rather, it is a fundamental divergence in focus and philosophy. Secular medicine tends to focus on habits—altering behaviors in an attempt to improve health outcomes. Medical ministry, on the other hand, goes deeper, addressing the very foundation of a person’s being: their character.
While changing habits is an important aspect of health improvement, it is not the strongest foundation for lasting change. Habits, by their nature, are fragile—prone to failure under stress, fatigue, or temptation. But character is different. Character is the very essence of a person, shaping their actions and ultimately their destiny. To illustrate this, let’s consider the analogy of a bullfight.
The Bullfight: Strength Without Correct Purpose Is a Fatal Flaw
Imagine a powerful bull, full of strength and determination, charging toward its target. But instead of striking at the true threat, the matador, the bull is focused on the cape—an illusion that disappears with every pass. No matter how strong or fast the bull is, if its focus is misplaced, it will eventually be outmaneuvered and defeated by the matador’s sword.
In the same way, when healthcare focuses solely on changing habits, it is like the bull chasing the cape. The target is elusive, shifting with circumstances, and ultimately not the real enemy. If a person relies only on willpower to break bad habits and form new ones, they are bound to fail when life’s pressures mount. True transformation comes not from chasing habits but from reshaping character. A person with strong character naturally develops habits that align with their values and long-term well-being.
Why Character Matters More Than Habits
Character is the foundation of identity—the core of who we are. Unlike habits, which are external actions, character encompasses internal traits such as integrity, honesty, self-discipline, and self-sacrificing love. A person’s character determines their responses to challenges, their resilience in the face of adversity, and their ability to sustain long-term change.
Consider the following examples of character traits that contribute to a healthier, more purposeful life:
- Honesty: A person with honesty will be truthful with themselves about their health needs, making it easier to seek help and follow through with treatment.
- Integrity: A person of integrity follows through with their commitments, making it more likely that they will maintain healthy routines even when no one is watching.
- Temperance: Self-control helps individuals make wise choices about diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors.
- Self-Sacrificing Love: When people prioritize the well-being of others, they often make healthier choices not only for themselves but also to be there for and influence those they love.
The Greatest Character Trait: Self-Sacrificing Love
While many positive traits contribute to character, the most powerful and transformational is self-sacrificing love. There is a concern that focusing on character alone might only produce socially respectable and morally upright individuals—people who exhibit integrity, discipline, and fairness, but lack the true power that transforms lives. If character development stops at being morally sound, it does not necessarily lead to a life filled with the deeper, more powerful traits of mercy, grace, and sacrificial love.
It is possible to be a good person—honest, diligent, and disciplined—without ever tapping into the wellspring of divine strength that flows from true self-sacrificing love. A person can live by high moral standards and still lack the force that fuels genuine transformation, the kind of power that enables people to rise above selfishness and extend grace to others even when it is undeserved. Without the qualities of mercy, grace, and sacrificial love, character remains incomplete, like a beautifully built house with no foundation.
This is why it is crucial to direct character development toward something greater than mere morality. The goal must be to cultivate a heart capable of selfless giving, a spirit that embraces sacrifice for the good of others, and a mind that understands the depth of grace and is willing to both extend and receive mercy. The true power of transformation comes not just from striving to be good but from being connected to a source of love that goes beyond human power and effort—love that is divine in origin.
As medical missionary providers, we recognize that the most profound example of self-sacrificing love is found in Jesus Christ. Throughout His life, He demonstrated that true strength lies not in mere moral uprightness, but in grace, mercy, and a type of love that causes the willingness to give up self for the needs of others. When we encourage people to develop a character that embodies these traits, we are leading them toward a character that emulates the lovely character of Jesus, and this can provide the most profound and lasting transformation possible. This is the kind of character that does not just help people live respectable lives—it actually changes the very core of who they are. It leads them into a relationship with a power far beyond themselves.
The River of Life: A Symbol of Transformational Power
The Bible provides a beautiful illustration of this concept in the imagery of the river of life. In Revelation 22:1-3, a river flows from the throne of God, crystal clear, bringing healing and renewal. This river represents the inexhaustible grace, mercy, and life-giving love of God. It is not just a stream but an unceasing, powerful current that extends from the very throne of God.
In Ezekiel 47:1-12, we see this river again—this time on the earth. But here, its vastness is revealed in staggering proportions. As the prophet steps into its waters, he finds it ankle-deep at first, then knee-deep, then waist-deep. Eventually, it becomes a river so deep and so wide that it cannot be crossed, its depths immeasurable and its breadth stretching beyond sight. Along its banks grow trees, their leaves unfading, yielding fruit in every season—trees whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. This river, once seen in heaven, now flows upon the earth, carrying with it the boundless love and healing power of God. This river represents the grace, mercy, and self-sacrificing love of God, flowing from heaven to mankind.
The Spirit of Prophecy describes this power, this divine influence, in another way. Ellen White describes it as an unseen current of grace and mercy that encircles the entire earth in an atmosphere of mercy and grace as real as the air we breathe. The very atmosphere demonstrates the self-sacrificing love of God. It is ready to uplift and transform all who will receive it. Just as the air surrounds the earth, this atmosphere of grace and mercy is continually available. Anyone who grasps this grace and mercy taps into an infinite source of strength—one that can change lives permanently, the sacrificial love of God. Even those who may not yet know the name of Jesus, if they embrace the character traits of mercy, grace, and sacrificial love, they unknowingly connect to the very power that flows from the throne of God. This connects them to a power that is both life-giving and eternal.
Why This Matters for Healthcare Providers
As healthcare providers interested in lifestyle change, we must shift our focus from merely changing habits to fostering character development. When we help patients develop virtues such as mercy, grace, and self-sacrificing love, we provide them with tools that have lasting power. This approach does not negate the importance of practical lifestyle changes, but it ensures that those changes are built on a foundation strong enough to endure life’s inevitable challenges.
Moreover, by guiding patients toward character growth, we open the door to deeper conversations—conversations that can lead to an understanding of the ultimate source of love, grace, and mercy. This is how medical ministry transcends commercial medicine. It is not just about helping people live longer or healthier lives; it is about leading them toward eternal transformation.
Conclusion: A New Model for Lasting Change
Focusing on habits alone is like chasing the cape in a bullfight—it is an endless battle with no true victory. But when we shift our attention to character, we engage with a force that has the power to reshape lives in a meaningful and lasting way. By encouraging patients to focus on foundational character traits to support their lifestyle change efforts, traits such as self-sacrificing love, grace, and mercy, we are not only improving health outcomes but also helping people grasp and align themselves with the very principles that flow from the throne of God.
The question for every healthcare provider is this: Will we continue to chase habits as the target of change, only to see our efforts undone when patients struggle? Or will we focus on character, providing our patients with the foundation to make meaningful, lasting, and even eternal change? Where should we focus?
The answer is clear. Just ask the bull.
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