The Most Critical Tool For A Doctor's Success
by Dan Jones, M.D.
Genesis 45:4-11
Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
"So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don't delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.'
Years later, toward the end of the famine period, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt looking for food for their family. Joseph’s brothers looked at this noble person in his regal clothing, including the regal coat of his office. Because of the years that passed and the impressive coat he wore, Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him. Joseph did recognize his brothers. Because of their prior cruel treatment, Joseph certainly could have been vindictive and angry with his brothers. However, through his own life experiences in the pits, Joseph had learned the lesson of compassion. Rather than punishing his brothers, he forgave them and provided the entire family with food.
Compassion is a critical tool for the successful health professional. One of the biggest surprises to me as a health professional was how often compassion was the most important thing I had to offer a patient. Over and over I have been reminded of our limitations as health professionals and the limitations of science in dealing with disease. But God’s love and His compassion expressed through his children is unlimited.
Experiencing death of a family member is never easy. It is particularly difficult when the patient is young, especially for parents losing a child. Early in my career, I dealt with a young adult battling an uncommon cancer. Failure to curb the disease and the death of the patient were frustrating professionally. And as I headed to the funeral home for visitation, I honestly did not look forward to seeing the grieving parents. I had a real sense of failure though I knew I had done all I could do professionally. But rather than focusing on the limitations of what could be done medically for the patient, the parents provided great words of comfort for me when they described their appreciation for my compassionate care. Science and medicine had failed this family, but compassion had served them.
Lord, give me compassion in dealing with tough situations in my life and career.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.
Photo by Andrea Tummons on Unsplash
