Today, I want to write in this blog about visiting the
sick. Since so many are concerned about
sickness and disease in these days, it seems appropriate.
Some of you might think this an odd subject for a spiritually oriented
blog, but I beg to differ. Jesus
thought visiting the sick was important.
In Matthew 25, we read in the parable of the great judgment that
criteria for our eternal judgment. It
will not be based on how much formal education we have or how many times we
have read the Bible. Neither will be based
on the number of consecutive Sundays of perfect attendance we have in worship
or how long we pray on a daily basis.
Jesus says that our judgment will
be as easy as separating sheep from goats.
Even those who did not grow up on a farm are able to tell the difference
between a sheep and a goat. Jesus says
that we will be judged on the basis on these simple, but important tasks: giving drink to the thirsty… providing
clothing for the naked… visiting those in prison… and visiting the sick.
I want to share today several things to keep in mind in
living out this Christ-given task of visiting the sick. It comes from my experience of visiting the
sick in hospitals, homes, and other medical facilities for over 40 years. They are listed not as commands, but as
suggestions as you seek to visit the sick.
They are as follows:
1.
When people are hospital patients today, they
are usually quite ill. For the sake of
the patient, make your visits brief.
2.
Be mindful
when you visit hospitals and other
medical facilities that there are hospital staff and medical personnel there. While your visit is important, so is their
work. Thank the medical personnel for
their work, and let your visit not negatively impact their ability to do their
job.
3.
Be mindful of
being the carrier of infectious diseases into the home or medical facility and to the patient or being a carrier of
infectious diseases from the place. Wash
your hands before your visit and after your visit. Follow other
precautions suggested by the staff.
If you have a cold or other ailment, it might be best to visit after you
are well.
4.
Keep your
conversation with the patient encouraging and
hope-filled. Avoid telling the
patient about persons you know who died with a similar ailment or saying
negative things about their doctor or medical staff as that does them no
good. Likewise, avoid telling the
patient about how you or others had a terrible time with the same diagnosis. If
you can’t say anything positive or encouraging, say little.
5.
Be mindful of
family members who may be in the facility or home. While sickness is hard on the patient, it
also can be hard on the family. They are
perhaps trying to continue to work or “keep the home fires burning” along with
caring for their loved one. The family
members might need your encouragement too, and even more they might gladly
accept an offer to stay with the patient while they go stretch their legs or
head home for a bit.
6.
Be mindful
for ways to visit the sick without going to the hospital, home, or medical
facility such as sending a card with a handwritten note, a phone call, or a
text. If they do not acknowledge your
contact, do not be dismayed because the main job of the patient is to get well.
7.
Pray with the
patient if you are comfortable doing so.
It does not have to be a long prayer.
If circumstances do not allow you to pray with the patient, tell them
and their family members you will be praying for them and do it!
8.
If the
patient tells you their diagnosis or ailment, ask permission before sharing
this with others. Some patients
desire their medical condition to be
kept private for all sorts of reasons.
Have
a joy-filled week!.- Pastor Randy Wall
Prayer: Almighty God, your son Christ Jesus offered
his healing mercy to the sick and infirmed when he walked among us. Make me an instrument of your healing grace
in all I say and do; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
