Spirituality Reflective Paper Example

Introduction

The conviction of spirituality is an intricate concept. However, it is utilized in diverse disciplines and described as a sense of personal connection allowing an individual to explore the meaning of life and how they seek to find peace, healing, transcendence, and harmony. Spirituality is considered as one of the significant aspects of comprehensive care. However, it is commonly disregarded due to its intricacy in conceptualization and uncertainty on its consolidation into nursing care. Since spiritual care has been extensively identified as an integral part of nursing care in advancing health, this paper will reflect on aspects and the significance of spiritual health from chapters 10 and 18 of the book “The Ministry of Healing” written by Ellen G. White, highlighting the ultimate spirituality resources for mental health. Besides, it explores the importance of spiritual love, care, and offering assistance to the vulnerable and tempted ones. The paper also explores the significance of nurse’s spiritual health during their practice, in chapter 19 of the book "Spirituality Care in Nursing Practice," written by Mauk and Schmidt. Finally, it will examine the importance of spiritual care and factors that might affect its assimilation into nursing care.

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In chapter 10 of "The Ministry of Healing," written by Ellen G. White, the author explains the ultimate and unconditional love and care that Christ showed his people notwithstanding their sinful nature and those who revolt against him to wonder their ways. God showed mercy to his people and offered to sacrifice his only son Jesus Christ to sanctify and cleanse human beings from their sins through his blood (White, 2011). God’s grace was for all, the poor, the rich, the old, and the young, and not because we were worthy, but because of His unrivaled mercy.

Despite being contaminated with sin, this kind of grace, love, and mercy showed towards humans, redeemed them from their guilty and helpless souls, and gave them a new life, health, and out of snares. From this reading, it explains the infinite value in human being (White, 2011). Therefore, we need to have standard treatment towards people around us like God did to us when we offer our service to the erring and the tempted ones. Additionally, the same sympathy, affection, and patience that He has demonstrated toward us, we are to express toward the poor, suffering, and struggling souls without discrimination to give them inner peace to their clouded mind and health.

It is evident that spirituality is a distinctive pursuit for initiating and maintaining a vital transcendent relationship with others, oneself, and with God, according to the individual. The antecedents of spirituality are trust, faith, and religious belief, while meaningful life, hope, and inner peace, are regarded as the consequences of spirituality. In chapter 18, both the antecedents and the consequences of spirituality, courage, love, and sympathy promote good health, a cheerful spirit, and a contented mind, leading to prolonged life and strength to the human soul (White, 2011). Therefore, the impact of mental influence while providing treatment to the sick should not be disregarded, as it helps in combating infections and helps the sick fully recover. The mental status of the sick may assist the individual to overcome the disease. However, the source of all the ability of mind and inner tranquility should always be anchored and dependent on one's faith in God and Christ.

It is of significance, therefore, that nurses and the physicians should bring the aspects of a transcendent relationship with God and explore the power and the value of will, given by God for patients’ restoration and maintenance of health, and employ it in the right direction. According to White (2011), people should be aware that the wellspring of life is Jesus Christ, and therefore, people need to fully recognize and believe him and his abilities to bring healing when we in our minds believe him. Since we are children of the heavenly God, we should educate our souls, hearts to a bid by him, believe in him, depend on him for calm composure, the tranquility of mind, and good health.

Nurse’s Spiritual Health

Spirituality is a way of discovering the meaning and purpose of life and finding hope in this turbulent world. It becomes vital when a person is vulnerable during crisis and illness, whether as a nurse or as a patient. A nurse's spiritual health is very fundamental. Hence, integrating spirituality into nursing care will enable the delivery of high-quality nursing care. Robust nurses’ spiritual health enables nurses to provide holistic approaches to care involving the principles of spirituality by creating sympathetic relations with the patient (Mauk & Schmidt, 2004). Additionally, holistic care considers the spiritual needs of both the nurse and the patient for the development of a comprehensive care plan.

In the reading of chapter 19 of “Spirituality Care in Nursing Practice,” nurse’s spiritual health plays a vital role in assisting them in finding meaning and purpose of their work during their daily activities (Mauk & Schmidt, 2004). Moreover, the nurse’s spiritual health will determine the level at which they will explore spirituality with patients to discover the meaning of life and find hope during times of illness, vulnerabilities, distress, and pain. To achieve all these, a nurse needs to have good spiritual health to be able to heed to the spiritual needs of the patient and understanding what spirituality means to their patient.

Importance of Spiritual Care in Nursing

The demand for spiritual support always depends on the intensity of illness, vulnerabilities, distress, pain afflicted on a patient, and the level of comfort from close associates. Spiritual care in nursing enables nurses to provide excellent care while recognizing the integral nature and the innate dignity of patients (Veloza-Gómez et al., 2016). Besides, it also enables compassionate and empathetic delivery of services, and as nurses unify scientific understanding, in reality, with an assertion of human sensitivity and extensive understanding of human nature.

Conclusion

I believe patients can be uplifted with a persistent effort made by nurses and the people around them. Tender caring, love, mercy, and humble consideration are vital for a patient's health and well-being during times of distress, pain, and hopelessness, as highlighted by the authors in their different writings. Therefore, we need to provide services for tempted and vulnerable people around us compassionately and tenderly while meeting their spiritual needs during times of crisis.

References

Mauk, K., & Schmidt, N. (2004). Spiritual care in nursing practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Veloza-Gómez, M., Muñoz de Rodríguez, L., Guevara-Armenta, C., & Mesa-Rodríguez, S. (2016). The Importance of Spiritual Care in Nursing Practice. Journal Of Holistic Nursing, 35(2), 118-131. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010115626777

White, E. (2011). The Ministry of Healing. White Crow Books.