Spiritual Caregiver

Spiritual care as it relates to parish nursing is a true wholistic approach to ministry. God is revealed to us in three persons, otherwise known as the Trinity. This is God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit. We are ministered to by each of the three persons of our Creator. Conversely, from the Greek perspective people are created tri-partite in spirit, soul and body and care needs to be considered respectively. As nurses we were trained in school principally from a scientific standpoint to care for the physical needs of the patient. The term psychosocial pertained to that “other” area that we needed to be responsive to and deal with but not as a priority unless dealing with mental health nursing. Spiritual care was and is often neglected.
Parish nursing places the proverbial missing cog in the wheel. It is important for us to encourage and teach others in their spiritual growth in order to promote total wellness. When people neglect their spiritual health and live life in their own strength, fatigue and illness soon takes place in the body. Our bodies cannot keep up to the unrealistic demands without the help of the Holy Spirit. Time with the Lord in prayer and Bible study reconnects us with the Life Source. This will in turn, give a sense of peace in all situations.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7. (NIV)
We know that scientifically the chemical reactions that stress has on cortisol from the kidneys can lead to all kinds of stress induced disease. Neglect of our spiritual care directly affects our physical body and we need to care for all aspects of it.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God: You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
As a parish nurse, we can point people to Christ and the need to stay connected with Him. To assist those in not neglecting their spiritual health and promoting the care of their physical health will bring them towards shalom that we all long for.


Bibliography: Holy Bible, NIV. The Zondervan Corporation. 1994