There Is a Cost
written by: Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ”
Everything has a cost. The old adage, “Time is money,” rings true. If we are busy with one thing, we intentionally or unintentionally ignore something else. Life is so complex today that anything we do is at the expense of something else. Even the right choices often produce physical and emotional fatigue because time is finite.
In her article “The Cost of Caring: My Experience With Compassion Fatigue,” Dawn D provides an honest assessment of living our responsibilities the best we can. Dawn shared the pain of compassion fatigue and how she recovered. “My experience with compassion fatigue taught me that whilst it can be noble to want to help others it is equally important to recognize our limits. We are not inexhaustible wells of empathy and compassion.” The best intentions have negative results if we are not honest with ourselves and others about our limitations. Dawn continues, “Self-compassion is not selfish. It is necessary.”
To remain compassionate for the long haul requires knowing the symptoms when they creep up on you. “The signs of compassion fatigue often include Reduced feelings of empathy; Depersonalization-feeling detached; Increased anxiety, irritability or anger; withdrawal from others; difficulty sleeping; lack of concentration; and physical and mental exhaustion.” When these and other symptoms arise, Dawn recommends: “Spend time doing things you enjoy; practice mindfulness; remain hydrated and eat healthy meals; journal; and build a compassion first aid kit.”
What goes into your compassion first aid kit includes, according to Dawn, and with a few recommendations of my own: appropriate, uplifting Biblical quotes, written down and at your fingertips; a snack bar; a book you enjoy; and a friend’s phone number who you received permission to call at a moment’s notice when you start feeling overwhelmed. Finally, offer God your frustrations but also your hopes and dreams for the future. Telling God what you hope for will give you the perspective that your challenging moments are not forever. Forgiving and encouraging yourself is a process. If you are trying to learn the process amid the chaos, it is too hard. Practice now! Put your compassion first aid kit together before you need it, so when you do, you can grab it and run. God will prepare you. Just ask and do your part.
