PHI 413V Topic 1 DQ 1
How can the perspective of Christian spirituality influence the way in which you
demonstrate compassionate care?
Religion and spirituality influences health care on both patient and community levels. Christian
spirituality can significantly influence how one demonstrates compassionate care. Christianity is
rooted in love, selflessness, hope, and forgiveness and reconciliation. There are many bible
verses that talk about love and empathy. 1 Peter 3:8 says “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be
sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” Ephesians 4:32 says “Be kind
and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Christianity with Jesus at its core is love and empathy for people in all walks of life. Orr (2015)
describes compassion as “God’s incomprehensible love for us is clearly reflected in the
compassion taught and demonstrated by Jesus. It is incumbent on us to remember that
compassion means ‘to suffer with.’ … we are called to do our utmost for patients’ suffering: to
suffer along with them and not abandon them.” Showing love and compassion to patients makes
patients more comfortable when they are in pain, feeling ill, suffering mental/emotional stress,
and has shown to help patients heal faster (Dignity Health, n.d.). Jesus showed selflessness by
sacrificing his life on the cross so that we could be saved. Selflessness encompasses loving other
people, being patient and kind. Being a selfless nurse demonstrates compassionate care by
putting others’ needs first. Hope, as part of Christianity, shows compassionate care by eternal life
with a loving God and hope for good outcomes from illness (Orr, 2015). Many nurses care for
patients from all walks of life who don’t share in their beliefs. Christian spirituality emphasizes
forgiveness and reconciliation, helping individuals provide non-judgmental care, even when
others make mistakes. Luke 6:37 says “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not
condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” We show
compassionate care by not judging someone’s situation or decisions, even if they go against our
own beliefs. Since love, compassion, selflessness, hope, and forgiveness are in the roots of
Christianity, I believe it easy to incorporate into compassionate care to our patients.
Reference
Dignity Health. (n.d.) The Power of Compassion. https://www.dignityhealth.org/hello-
humankindness/power-of-compassion
Orr, R. D. (2015). Incorporating spirituality into patient care. AMA Journal of Ethics, 17(5),
409- 451. http://doi.org/10.1001/journalofethics.2015.17.5.spec1-1505
PHI 413V Topic 1 DQ 2
From the perspective of Christian spirituality and ethics, what is your understanding of
compassionate caring that informs your approach to health and healing?
How can the perspective of Christian spirituality influence the way in which you
demonstrate compassionate care?
Religion and spirituality influences health care on both patient and community levels. Christian
spirituality can significantly influence how one demonstrates compassionate care. Christianity is
rooted in love, selflessness, hope, and forgiveness and reconciliation. There are many bible
verses that talk about love and empathy. 1 Peter 3:8 says “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be
sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” Ephesians 4:32 says “Be kind
and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Christianity with Jesus at its core is love and empathy for people in all walks of life. Orr (2015)
describes compassion as “God’s incomprehensible love for us is clearly reflected in the
compassion taught and demonstrated by Jesus. It is incumbent on us to remember that
compassion means ‘to suffer with.’ … we are called to do our utmost for patients’ suffering: to
suffer along with them and not abandon them.” Showing love and compassion to patients makes
patients more comfortable when they are in pain, feeling ill, suffering mental/emotional stress,
and has shown to help patients heal faster (Dignity Health, n.d.). Jesus showed selflessness by
sacrificing his life on the cross so that we could be saved. Selflessness encompasses loving other
people, being patient and kind. Being a selfless nurse demonstrates compassionate care by
putting others’ needs first. Hope, as part of Christianity, shows compassionate care by eternal life
with a loving God and hope for good outcomes from illness (Orr, 2015). Many nurses care for
patients from all walks of life who don’t share in their beliefs. Christian spirituality emphasizes
forgiveness and reconciliation, helping individuals provide non-judgmental care, even when
others make mistakes. Luke 6:37 says “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not
condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” We show
compassionate care by not judging someone’s situation or decisions, even if they go against our
own beliefs. Since love, compassion, selflessness, hope, and forgiveness are in the roots of
Christianity, I believe it easy to incorporate into compassionate care to our patients.
Reference
Dignity Health. (n.d.) The Power of Compassion. https://www.dignityhealth.org/hello-
humankindness/power-of-compassion
Orr, R. D. (2015). Incorporating spirituality into patient care. AMA Journal of Ethics, 17(5),
409- 451. http://doi.org/10.1001/journalofethics.2015.17.5.spec1-1505
PHI 413V Topic 1 DQ 2
From the perspective of Christian spirituality and ethics, what is your understanding of
compassionate caring that informs your approach to health and healing?
