In the effort made to restore the sick to health, use is to be made of the beautiful things of the Lord’s creation. Seeing the flowers, plucking the ripe fruit, listening to the happy songs of the birds, has a peculiarly exhilarating effect on the nervous system. From outdoor life men, women, and children gain a desire to be pure and guileless. By the influence of the quickening, reviving, life-giving properties of nature’s great medicinal resources the functions of the body are strengthened, the intellect awakened, the imagination quickened, the spirits enlivened, and the mind prepared to appreciate the beauty of God’s word. {7T 86.2} Under these influences, combined with the influence of careful treatment and wholesome food, the sick find health. The feeble step recovers its elasticity. The eye regains its brightness. The hopeless become hopeful. The once despondent countenance wears an expression of cheerfulness. The complaining tones of the voice give place to tones of content. The words express the belief: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. The clouded hope of the Christian is brightened. Faith returns. The word is heard: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” Psalm 23:4; Luke 1:46, 47; Isaiah 40:29. The acknowledgment of God’s goodness in providing these blessings invigorates the mind. God is very near and is pleased to see His gifts appreciated. {7T 86.3}

I bestræbelserne på at helbrede syge, må der gøres brug af Herrens skabelses skønne ting. Det har en særlig opmuntrende effekt på den nervesvage organisme at se blomsterne, plukke modne frugter og lytte til fuglesangen. Fra det udendørs liv får mænd, kvinder og børn et ønske om at være rene og skyldfrie. Legemets funktioner styrkes, forstanden vågner, fantasien bliver hurtigere, humøret oplives og sindet beredes til at fatte skønheden i Guds ord, ved påvirkning af naturens store opkvikkende, oplivende, livsgivende lægeressourcer. Under disse påvirkninger, kombineret med omhyggelig behandling og sund mad, finder den syge helse. De svage skridt genvinder sin spændstighed. Øjet genvinder sin klarhed. Den håbløse bliver håbefuld. Det tidligere fortvivlede ansigtsudtryk bærer et glædens udtryk i sig. Stemmens dystre toneleje giver plads til tilfredse toner. Ordene udtrykker troen: »Gud er vor tilflugt og styrke, en hjælp i angster, prøvet til fulde.« Sal.46,2. (87) Den kristnes formørkede håb stråler op. Troen vender tilbage. Ordene høres: »Skal jeg end vandre i dødsskyggens dal, jeg frygter ej ondt; thi du er med mig, din kæp og din stav er min trøst.« »Min sjæl højlover Herren.« »Han giver den trætte kraft, den svage fylde af styrke.« Sal.23,4. Luk.1,46. Es.40,29. Anerkendelsen af Guds godhed i at give disse velsignelser, styrker sindet. Gud er meget nær og er glad for at se at hans gaver bliver påskønnet.