How do we handle it when medical personnel are less than helpful or even detrimental? I long to glorify God in the interactions, but how do we handle it when something does need to be said? I have experienced it twice in the last year, once as a caregiver and once as a patient. I know many of you have experienced it as well. Sadly, it happens more than we would like to think.
As the patient a couple months ago, I went to a regular check up. My specialist was retiring, but I thought I would be seeing her for the last time that day. Instead, another specialist was covering until the new doctor came. It was just a checkup. I didn’t think much about it.
We (an amazing medical team and I) have fought hard for seven years to get to the bottom of pesky and strange issues. It would be awesome if one diagnosis covered it, but so far that hasn’t happened. This makes it hard to easily summarize all that has happened. Many tests have been run; many specialists coordinated; much has been learned to help me regain as much health as possible. Yet, this new doctor was doubtful of all the work we had done. He questioned everything I said, everything the doctors had diagnosed, everything the tests had clearly shown. Within the first two minutes of the appointment, he told me to forget everything any other doctor had ever told me and to listen only to him.
I sat there stunned, not knowing what to say. Even with advocating for myself, his stance did not change. I didn’t know what to say or do. It didn’t help that this happened while I was actively fighting another illness. I did not feel well at all. It is harder to respond correctly when we are weak or our health is compromised.
How do we respond when we want to glorify God in our response, but also need to advocate for ourselves or others? These verses came to mind, particularly verses 6.
These verses were written by Paul while he was in chains, in prison. His situation was less than easy, not optimal. I have no doubt that he suffered unjust treatment in the midst of this imprisonment for his faith. Yet, he wanted to glorify God in that situation. I always have to stop and let that sink in.
He wanted to bring others to know God rather than caring about himself. Bitterness and resentment were not the direction he went. Instead, he is telling the Christians at Colossae to walk in wisdom. We are to have our speech be gracious, seasoned with salt. What we say, even when it is a hard truth, should be gracious. The most important thing is to be representing Christ. Our hope is that the other person will come to know Jesus or know Him more. You see, it isn’t about us, it is about Christ. Wow.
For my doctor situation, I simply rode out the remainder of the appointment after trying a few more times to explain my condition. It was obvious that my trying to respond would not help. Then, I went to my trusted general practitioner to ask for advice. She is helping me work through the situation in a helpful, productive way. We are still working through this and praying to glorify God as we navigate it.
I love the truths that Paul shares with the Colossians that help us with these challenging times. Whether it is a situation with a difficult medical person or someone else, our speech matters. May we glorify God so that others see Christ!
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