Scripture:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:2
There are moments in our work when we see things that hurt our hearts. We may witness unfairness, indifference, harsh words, broken systems, or people who seem to have lost compassion. As nurses, we are called to care for people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. We advocate for our patients. We speak up for families. We comfort those who are afraid. We serve even when we are tired. But what happens when the environment around us begins to change our hearts?
It is easy to become discouraged. It is easy to become frustrated. It is easy to say, “If nobody else cares, why should I? But as followers of Christ, we are called to something higher. We cannot allow someone else's coldness to make our hearts cold. We cannot allow injustice to steal our compassion. We cannot allow difficult people or difficult circumstances to change who God has called us to be. When Jesus encountered suffering, rejection, injustice, and people who misunderstood Him, He did not stop loving. He did not stop serving. He did not stop doing what was right. He kept His eyes on the Father. That is what we must do.
A nurse's hands may care for wounds, administer medications, and bring comfort to a patient's body. But we must also care for our own hearts. If we are not careful, disappointment can become bitterness.
Frustration can become anger. Repeated exposure to suffering can make us numb. Unfair treatment can make us stop caring. That is why Scripture tells us to guard our hearts. Guarding our hearts does not mean pretending that everything is okay. It means bringing our pain, frustration, and disappointment to Jesus instead of allowing them to contaminate our spirit.
We can acknowledge what is wrong without allowing what is wrong to become who we are. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Sometimes our work may feel unnoticed. Sometimes advocacy may be difficult. Sometimes we may speak up for a patient and feel as though nobody listens. Sometimes we may give our very best and still leave work wondering if it made a difference. Keep praying!
God sees. He sees the nurse who stays a little longer to comfort a frightened patient. He sees the nurse who speaks up when something isn't right. He sees the nurse who treats every patient with dignity.
He sees the nurse who protects a family's voice when they feel powerless. He sees the nurse who chooses compassion even when others have become cold. Our responsibility is not to control the hearts of others. Our responsibility is to guard our own hearts and remain faithful to Christ. When the world feels unfair, look to Jesus. When people are cold, look to Jesus.
When you are tired of advocating, look to Jesus. Keep praying! Our strength does not come from the environment around us. It comes from the One we serve. We may not be able to change every system, every person, or every circumstance. But we can choose how we respond. We can continue to be compassionate. We can continue to advocate. We can continue to serve with excellence. We can continue to speak with grace. We can continue to do what is right. Because we are not serving only when it is easy. We are serving because Christ called us to love.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Help me guard my heart. When I encounter coldness, do not allow me to become cold. When I experience unfairness, do not allow bitterness to take root in me. When I am tired, remind me why I began. Give me courage to advocate for those who cannot always advocate for themselves. Give me compassion for patients and families. Give me wisdom when situations are difficult and strength when I feel weary. Help me not to respond to the darkness around me by becoming part of the darkness. Instead, help me fix my eyes on You. Let my hands continue to serve, my voice continues to advocate, and my heart continues to love. May the way I care for others reflect your heart. In Jesus' name, Amen. Never stop praying! Time is near and we must be ready!
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