Compassion~
Do you know what it means to have compassion? According to dictionary.com, it means: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. That is so interesting to me, that it goes beyond just feeling bad for someone. According to this definition, compassion is joining the feeling of sadness because someone is suffering or going through a hard time with the urge to do something to help them!
Would you agree that we all have a duty, as Christians, to show compassion? Not just to one another, but we must have compassion for everyone. Jesus did and He is our example! We must care about those who are hurting and show them kindness...help them!
I wanted to be a nurse since I was 16 years old. I knew I wanted to be a registered nurse but God had other plans for me. I am a licensed practical nurse and currently I am in the nursing program to transition into a registered nurse. I have always had compassion for people. My grandmother taught me from a very young age to pray for compassion and so I did. God answered that prayer and has blessed me with a LOT of compassion for others. My heart breaks for those who are hurting. I cry along with those who are hurting. So naturally, I am in a role (as a nurse) to have compassion on my patients. It is a great honor to serve in this way.
Sometimes, though, the nurse becomes the patient. We are not all perfectly healthy all of the time. We get hurt. We get sick. We need to see the doctor for various issues and in those times, we need compassion. I was the patient today. I have a chronic condition that I didn't ask for, that I don't want, and that hurts me every single day. The big fix is a major surgery. The problem is that I am a student and really cannot have the surgery until May, when school is over with. So I went to get a "holding solution" in the form of an injection today. I would say that maybe the nurse was just having a bad day, but the past two times I was in that office, the doctor and the nurse have been cold and indifferent to me. I am not excusing the doctor, but he is known to not have the best bedside manner. The nurse; however, I am surprised and disappointed in. She used to be so kind and friendly.
While I cannot hold the world to God's standards of being compassionate to others, it sure does sadden me to think that a nurse would not be very compassionate. I am in severe pain most days with this issue and I don't want to face surgery. I don't want to have injections. I don't want to deal with any of it. It's been since I was a teenager and I have put off the surgery so long but now my "other options" are running out. I just need someone to be kind to me when I go into that cold, sterile room and have to be so vulnerable. It's a scary thing to do alone but I must! So, a friendly face, or kind word is so appreciated in that moment.
I'm not perfect. As a nurse, I have bad days, too, and probably don't show as much compassion as when things are better, but I honestly try. I make a conscious effort to show compassion and put my feelings and pain aside. It's the reason I went to nursing school. It's the reason I am going back to become an RN. I want to make a bigger impact than I can as an LPN.
Psalm 86:15 But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
Zechariah 7:9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
Matthew 9:36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick.
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference
1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
Maybe the nurse was just having a hard time at work the past couple of times I was in there. Maybe she is overworked, overwhelmed, or going through personal battles herself. I am not sure. I did not ask. I will pray for her that she is strengthened in the way she has need. God knows all about her and what she is facing. God can help her and see her through. Hopefully the rest of her day will be good. Maybe things will start improving for her. I will ask God to see her through and help her. That would be a way I could show her compassion. She may never know I prayed for her and that is okay. God works it all out and He gets the glory.
Let's look for opportunities to show compassion today. We all need it and want it for ourselves. Others want it, too. God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens
