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Laments, Psalms, and Contemplations
for Global Healthcare Workers

There are times when the intensity of human suffering we attend to is heart numbing. There are moments when we understandably fear but need to buckle up and manage a crisis. And, there are soul wrenching decisions we abhor to make. In all of this we wonder...where is God? What on earth is he doing? How do we reach out when what we have to offer is not necessarily "nice." This blog is trying to find a voice, steeped in the tradition of biblical faith.

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Witnessing Terror and Finding Refuge

5/8/2020

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Witnessing terrifying situations or hearing about them during this pandemic is a real possibility, whether serving globally, or in our home countries. There have certainly been terrifying reports about conditions in hospitals in certain locations or bodies in public places. Terror may not not reach us, but knowing, how we can face terror as those who know God, is very wise.
Psalm 91:4-6 can guide our imagination as we prepare our hearts: 

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Not fearing terror noticeably is a result of finding refuge and NOT something that just happens naturally to all "true believers," as some well-meaning, but ill-conceived spiritual advice may suggest. Naturally, humans respond to terror with fear, and fear is likely to touch us at times as we walk through the perils of this season. However, as we attend to the mitigating possibilities outlined in verse 4, the "curve of fear" literally will be "flattened," so that we are able to face terror without being overcome. 

Notice the imaginative language of gentle touch and physical assurance: Covered by his feathers, under his wings, and the 
unchangeable goodness of God as protective shield and wall. (Seems like God knows neurobiology..:)

1. Can you try imagine the gentle touch of strong wings (maybe think about eagle's wings) that cover you, provide protection from view, and provide warmth? Try to take your time and notice some details about what it is like to slip into this imagination (contemplation). How does your body now feel as you imagine this? 
2. Can you try imagine touching the shield of God's unchanging love and being-for-you, and touching the firmness of the protecting wall? Take strong hold of that shield and feel it firmly in your hand, and touch the wall, feel it's sturdiness and roughness, maybe lean against it, and feel how it holds. Take your time and notice details about sensations in your hands and in your body and soul. 
3. And later, when you have just heard or witnessed something terrifying, can you shift away from the images and physical feelings of the situation that draw you in, and refocus your attention on slipping under his wings, and pressing against the protection wall. In real life in the hospital, maybe literally press against a wall with your hand or your body, grounding yourself in the reality that your being is protected and anchored in the one who loves and protects. 

Involving body sensations in helping us hold on to spiritual realities is literally a biblical recommendation (verse 4), and practicing  taking refuge physically in these eternal realities before the terror of the night or the arrow that flies by day actually hits, is just plane wisdom....flattening the curve...making the impact something we can live with....giving us confidence that we will not...nor...nor...nor (verse 5+6).  
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Contemplative Mini Breaks

4/29/2020

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At times, when there is an onslaught of adverse events and work is demanding time and attention, it is hard to catch a real break. Certainly, in order to be able to serve long-term, REAL breaks are indicated! We are in for a marathon, not a sprint!  BUT, in the thick of it, we can still regulate stress levels with Mini Breaks. What does that mean? Neurobiologists tell us that anything we focus on for more than 20 seconds will stay with us and affects how we are feeling. In contemplation people take  some time to pay attention to something in nature, an image, a verse, or a characteristic (name) of God. 

Prime situations for mini breaks are in between patient encounters, while washing hands for 20+ seconds, after a death, or at any time our bodies give us signals of increased tension. These signals are different for everybody: What are they for you, physically or mentally?

One way you could take a mini break is to sing or hum a song, even if quietly. It could be a short favorite song reminding you of God's love and faithfulness; or something light, fun, and humorous. It could be a short verse you recite or recall; or you can focus on something natural or beautiful around you; try vividly recalling your favorite vacation spot, a fun situation with family or friends; a memorable scene from a favorite sport; or contemplate on a favorite image from the Bible, e.g. the strong tower for refuge, the shelter of his wings around you, soaring on eagle's wings, carried by the good shepherd. Imagine it vividly, with all of your senses.  When outside, pay attention for those 20+ seconds on anything calming, beautiful or neutral you can see. When your patient just died, and you can only groan, try making a gesture of handing him over to a loving God and his care, and pay attention to the sense of peace coming over you as you do this. And at any time, breathe deeply and slow down your exhalation. Contemplatives have been masters of breathing, and it certainly shuts down our stress response in just a few deep breaths. A power tool in the thick of it, for sure!

If you would like to share with others, what you find helpful, please feel free to leave a comment. 
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Imagining Resurrection

4/11/2020

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During my service in Nepal I worked with people affected by leprosy. A group of them had come to know Jesus as redeemer and Lord. One day a few of them gathered around me and showed me their hands. There were many shortened fingers and paralyzed muscles, making daily activities very hard for them. My heart filled with sorrow about their disabilities and what it meant for their lives. I will never forget how their faces brightened, and they told me: In the new heaven and earth our fingers and hands will be restored, we will feel, touch, will have a strong grasp, and do our daily tasks again. Their imagination was so vivid, and their joy about it  infectious. I remember the moment till today. They have taught me that imagining resurrection puts things in a different perspective now. They did not have much earthly treasure. But, they had put all the stock of their faith into the redemption and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 
This makes me wonder, what it would be like, when we, though rattled by the agony of breathless people, whose breaths and hearts eventually stopped, could for a moment imagine, what it will be like for them on resurrection day: How they breathe their first deep and free breath, in and out, and then again, and again, and their hearts beat, settling into an assured, calm rhythm. Their faces lighting up, their beings erupting in joy, jubilation, and praise. Just like the song below, an imagination of the resurrection of Christ. 
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Jesus in Gethsemane

4/3/2020

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Last year I had the privilege to visit the garden of Gethsemane, which lies in a valley between the Mount of Olives and the city walls of Jerusalem. After dinner, Jesus went to Gethsemane with a few disciples to pray, anticipating the suffering ahead. There, in the shadows of the old olive trees in the cool of the evening, he wrestled with his impending suffering. We see his body sweat in deep distress. We see him vulnerable and in need of his friends. The giver and lover of life faced with suffering and death! Fear arises in his body designed for living, a deep sense of vulnerability, and a need for a reliable band of friends. Seeing him there, sweating, vulnerable and needy, I know that he knows...he knows my fear, my sweat, my vulnerability and need as I get ready to face risk and suffering. His whole humanity pleads with God for the chalice to pass him by. His whole divinity surrenders to love, the love of the Father, and to fulfill the purposes of his loving Father. I sense the enormity of the shift from fear to love. As I look forward with trepidation towards the suffering that is coming our way, I feel known and accepted in my human fear, and invigorated by Christ's choice to love. I notice his determination to get up and face the beginning of his suffering, his resolved and relaxed posture, and I remember that he does not leave me alone in this.  His Spirit is in me, giving me hope that everyday I will find strength and resolve to go to work and face what comes with a love far beyond mine. 
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Contemplation

4/3/2020

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Contemplation is not my specialty, but I know something about neuropsychology and also the Bible. When our brains deal with trauma or are just plain overstimulated, it's the emotion brain (limbic system) that runs the show, and our executive brain (frontal lobe) is so-to-speak "off-line." When Jesus walked with his traumatized, grief stricken, and confused disciples to Emmaus, he reasoned some with them, but mostly cared for their bodies and their emotion brain: He walked with them. He talked about familiar bible passages they knew from childhood and which they had probably shared with each other during the three years they spent together. However, even this did not "click" until Jesus broke the bread and shared the wine. They could easily remember the bread and the wine from the precious time they had together during the last supper. It was something they could see, hear, touch, taste, smell and which they associated with Jesus' love and nearness. When he engaged all of their senses they were finally able to recognize him, and enjoyed the heart connection with him again, which they so desperately needed. Our emotion brain can be aroused and also calmed by means of threatening or assuring sensations. In contemplation, we can choose to engage our senses, just as Jesus did with bread and wine, as we consider assuring biblical truths. Combining our senses with reflection, this truth comes to life not only for our understanding, but also for our emotion brain, and  can further calm and engage us during emotionally troubled times. 
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    Editor and Author
    Frauke Schaefer, MD - family physician, who served in Nepal, then turned psychiatrist and counselor to support those in high stress environments.
    This blog seeks to capture various voices from global settings. 

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