PFP Page 13
Pray without
ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
We cannot emphasise enough that
a person’s mental approach to becoming well is very closely linked to
their physical progress. A person who has a developed Christian faith
can have a mental attitude to illness that is positive and can thus play
an important part in healing. At the same time, some may have a
‘fearfulness’ at being found unworthy. This can mean their understanding
of forgiveness is not developed and that the appearance of a strong
faith may be superficial. This can result in an unhelpful spirituality.
Leaving Christian spirituality
aside, a friend who has a positive and practical view of life
can also influence the degree of their recovery. Whatever the spiritual
view of the person is, it is a responsibility of a carer to respect
this, without necessarily agreeing with it.
Prayer is a vital element in the
function of being a friend. We recognise that we need God’s help in our
work.
This might seem an issue more in
keeping with a course in psychology than in an introduction to
pastoral caring of a friend. However, there is no doubt that caring can
be a very distressing time for the carer as well as the cared-for. A
sensitive carer will be moved emotionally by the predicament of the sick
person. It is important that in preparation for your role as a
friend,
you think about your own emotions with regard to a very sick or grieving
person. You should also try to talk to someone who knows how to listen
and who understands the role you are embracing as a carer.
The video in this section should help you understand a little more about
this concept.
What is your personal, emotional reaction, for example, to caring for a person who a) has a leg amputated; or, b) is in severe abdominal pain as the result of surgery; or, c) is having chemotherapy for cancer? or, d) is despondent because they feel ‘old’ and ‘useless’? The value in this thinking is that you will need to 'put yourself' into the shoes of the person and try to imagine how they are feeling.
