Daily Devotion - Monday, June 22

Do Not Fear

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”
--From the prophet Isaiah, 41:10

The word of the Lord to Isaiah, and all the people of God in general, bids us to have no fear. Fear visits us when we are caught in unexpected situations, in unfamiliar places and it can cause us to make inaccurate assessments. We can feel intimidated and overwhelmed. Fear can dominate our inner being.

Our active listening to the feelings of others is very important. Here in the hospital patients, family and friends can feel uncomfortable with their surroundings. Our listening and trying to put them at ease is part of our caregiving job. Here is an amusing story that illustrates the fears people may have and the way a caregiver lessened the fear:

A lady came to the hospital to visit a friend. She had not been in a hospital for several years. She felt uneasy and a bit overwhelmed by all the new technology. A technician followed her onto the elevator, wheeling a large, intimidating looking machine with tubes and wires and dials. “Boy, would I hate to be hooked up to that thing,” she said. “So would I,” said the technician. “It’s a floor-cleaning machine.”

Have a good week being aware of our own fears and the fears of those around us. Remember the words of scripture telling us that we are not alone, a higher power is always with us.

--Ben Keckler
06.22.09