Seeing Patients Through the Lens of Christ: Embracing Your 'Why'

Have you ever had a day where you truly did not want to go to work and that one day became several days…what did you do? Here’s the thing. For a season, the anticipation, excitement and joy that I initially experienced when I started my nursing career was waning. It was getting harder and harder to go into work. My career choice is what I believe the Lord placed on my heart to do; I always found a joy in serving Him as I served others and so I couldn't understand why the happiness I felt in my work was fading. I asked Him “Lord why am I feeling like this?” In searching for the answer, I feel He showed me that my focus shifted from Him to myself.

You see, I entered nursing because I wanted to help and serve people in this capacity. The satisfaction of what I did to help others initially wasn’t entirely about me but it was quickly becoming all about me. As nurses, our patients not only need the excellence of our care and our competency in the application of that care but, they need to see our hearts for them when providing that care. How we talk to them, advocate for them, the questions we ask, smiles of encouragement, that listening and hearing ear, acknowledging their autonomy in decision making; patients need this from us, they depend on it in their most vulnerable moments. God’s grace is evident when our hearts reflect these characteristics and in this reflection, I was encouraged to find, I was graced to do this work and so are you! He renewed my 'why' for the season of pondering and discontentment I was facing. Someone needed the Christ on the inside of me and that gave me all the reason I needed. As individuals, we sometimes give into our own negative feelings, and when we focus on them, we can lose perspective of His will. Negative emotions may originate from simply being tired, feeling overwhelmed, missing home, challenges with a colleague, dealing with a difficult healthcare provider and we all go through these challenges regardless of the role we are in because we’re human and that’s okay but, we can’t stay there.

  "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows out of it.” Proverbs 4:23 ESV  

For me, time spent with God gently and purposefully nudges me back to focus on Him and when that happens a heart posture of gratitude pours out into thankfulness because His reminder redirected my focus and so walking into work grew into enjoyment again. How we relate to God and lean on Him is demonstrated in our actions, how we treat others, the fruit of the Spirit that our patients and colleagues see in us, allowing our authenticity and Christ to shine through.

Jesus says, “ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Matthew 12:30-31 ESV

There is purpose in your season, your story and your struggle. Remember your “why” in why you do what you do. There is no clear cut way on how life is exactly supposed to look. But I believe the Lord will guide you to exactly where you are supposed to be. I hope that this change of perspective helps you, as it helped me. If this created more questions, I am always happy to chat about them. Until the next time.

Your friend,

Sarah