Daily Devotional

Refreshment

by Alyssa Linscheid on October 19, 2021

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”  Proverbs 11:25

Have you ever heard of compassion fatigue? It is a condition sometimes experienced by therapists and others in helping professions which is characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion leading to a diminished ability to feel empathy or compassion for others due to the frequency of caring or working with hurting individuals. In other words, you become so exhausted by dealing with trauma that you start to not feel anything anymore, you become desensitized to it.

When I worked at eating disorder treatment facilities in the past, this was something that the staff had to fight against often. Although the job was rewarding in so many ways, I had to make sure I was getting filled with the Lord so my own cup of compassion wouldn’t completely run out. During this time, Proverbs 11:25 would frequently come to mind, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” I held onto that truth that the Lord would refresh me and He did. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t have any breakdowns, because I did, but it meant that I knew I could run to Him. He never runs out of empathy or care for us. While we have finite energy, He has endless energy and He never sleeps. It makes me think of the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, The Isaiah Song, “Sing, sing oh barren land, water is coming to the thirsty, though you are empty I am the well, draw from Me I will provide.”

For those who find themselves feeling fatigued, like they can’t give any more of themselves, I pray you take heart and know that the Lord sees how you refresh others and care for them. He will provide and He will refresh you when you draw from Him.

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