Chief Complaint – DRUG OVERDOSE. This occurred last night. Toxic symptoms present in ED with nausea and abdominal pain. The patient has experienced situational problems related to work. Has recently lost job. The symptoms are described as severe. He has been depressed. Has had suicidal thoughts. Has highly lethal plan for suicide. The method is available.”
(HIPPA compliant)
I read medical records like these every day. And my heart breaks. Every time. Every single time. These are more than medical records, they are real, live human beings. They are in front of us at the grocery store and beside us at the stop light. And the one who’s record is notated here…the same age as my oldest son. Sobering.
When I left for work this morning, I was upset because my husband made a comment about the untidiness of my shoes in our closet. Something as trivial as shoes had the capacity to ruin my mood the entire day. Until I got to work. My job responsibilities sometimes have the ability to snap me back to a more appropriate way of thinking. (Re-read the medical record above.)
So, I remember what God says about this sort of thing. And I am reminded that even this very morning, as I spent time with Him over a cup of coffee, an hour before the comments that were made about my shoes, I read this verse
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22
Oswald Chambers, the author of the writings in the devotional book My Utmost for His Highest says,
“Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship.”
So, whether it is untidy shoe storage or suicide attempt, sharing the burden that I am under, with the Lord my God lightens the heaviness that threatens to weigh me down.
I wish I could share this with the patient who is trying to carry his burden all alone.
3 comments:
Liz, this is a very powerful post. Thank you for sharing it, and reminding us that we don't have to carry our burdens all alone.
Hugs,
Carol
Hi Liz, Working in the medical field myself I see and hear similar stories. Sometimes they walk right into our office. It is such a sad state of affairs when young peopel (and those of us in our middle ages) feel so hopeless that suicide becomes an option. I am trying to learn to pray for those that cross my path and am thankful that I work for a physician who will regularly pray with her patients:)
Thank you for sharing your heart and reminding all of us that we truly cannot and were not made to carry our burdens alone!
I understand this burden, Liz. Sometimes it just wears me down. I have to flee to Him with all that I am.
Love your new decor! Love you too. :)
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