Spirituality refers to a dynamic and inherent part of human existence through which individuals seek ultimate meaning, purpose, and transcendence. It encompasses one’s relationship with oneself, family, others, community, society, and nature and guides how one interprets phenomena (Bogue & Hogan, 2020). Spirituality is expressed through various beliefs, values, traditions, and practices. This quest for life’s meaning often extends beyond the physical realm and may involve religious beliefs. Christian spirituality, in particular, involves finding life’s purpose through a personal relationship with God as revealed in the Bible. As a Christian, I am guided by scripture and Christian doctrines (Bogue & Hogan, 2020). These principles guide how I provide care, ensuring that Christian principles are applied.
One of the important aspects that guide the provision of care is dignity and respect. Christian doctrines teach that all human beings are made in the image and likeness of God (Šip et al., 2023). As long as someone is alive, they should be treated with respect and their dignity maintained, regardless of their functionality and capacities in the community. Therefore, this principle is important in ensuring that I provide compassionate care to patients. Christian spirituality emphasizes finding life’s purpose through a personal relationship with God, as revealed in the Bible. It enables the provision of spiritual care to patients in accordance with their spiritual practices and the guidance of the Bible. Spiritual care is an important aspect that promotes coping, resilience, and healing during illness (Polat & Özdemir, 2021). It allows Christians to reconnect with their Lord and understand the nature of their condition and why they are going through it. This includes praying with patients, reading scriptures, and singing worship songs. It also involves inviting spiritual leaders for services. Additionally, it impacts the provision of holistic care. Spiritual needs assessments can be done to ensure that the spiritual needs of patients are addressed.
References
Bogue, D. W, Hogan, M. (2020). Foundational Issues in Christian Spirituality and Ethics. In Grand Canyon University (Ed). Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision Making in Health Care (1). https://lc.gcumedia.com/phi413v/practicing-dignity-an-introduction-to-christian-values-and-decision-making-in-health-care/v1.1/#/chapter/1
Polat, H. T., & Özdemir, A. A. (2021). Relationship between Compassion and Spiritual Care among Nurses in Turkey. Journal of Religion and Health, 61(3), 1894–1905. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01287-6
Šip, M., Kuzyšin, B., Sabolik, M., & Valčo, M. (2023). Human Dignity in Inpatient Care: Fragments of Religious and Social Grounds. Religions, 14(6), 757. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14060757