Compassion Fade
The number is huge: 1 million.
But it’s more than a number. It’s people. 1 million people. That’s how many have died around the world from the coronavirus.
It’s easy to get lost in big numbers. We can’t fathom it.
And oddly enough, the larger the number, the less the compassion.
It’s called compassion fade. It’s different than compassion fatigue.
- Compassion FATIGUE results from helping people we know. It is a burnout or exhaustion from helping often (like health care workers, educators, caretakers, etc.).
- Compassion FADE relates to caring about people we don’t know. It is a decrease in empathy as the number of people in need increase.
With our current pandemic, while many are experiencing compassion fatigue due to their job or circumstances, many more (including those) are also experiencing compassion fade due to caring about people worldwide.
It’s overwhelming.
Have You Had It?
Have you had COVID-19? Has someone you love had it? Have you lost anyone to it?
Within the past two months, it’s circled in closer and closer to my friends and family.
My older sister and brother-in-law have had it. Several nieces and their spouses. One of my best friends and all her family. My neighbors. So far, all have recovered without requiring hospitalization, thank God.
But even dealing with the cases in my small corner of the world is distressing.
Take One at a Time
How can we prevent compassion fade during a pandemic?
We have to narrow it back down. To one person at a time. One day at a time. One situation at a time.
When we see one face in front of us, we’re more compassionate than when we see a chart of statistics worldwide.
Mother Teresa has been quoted as saying,
“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.”
That’s advice worth taking. We see Jesus worked that way. While he healed multitudes, he did it one at a time.
That’s all we need to do, too. Take one at a time, one day at a time. The person nearest us.
EXTRA: Here’s a 14-minute podcast about compassion fade. Listen to Dr. Sanjay Gupta explain “Uncomfortably Numb” on Coronavirus: Fact vs Fiction.
Featured Post—Our One
For our blogging community, here is one we can pray for. Our blogging friend Jerralea has tested positive for COVID-19.
Here is Jerralea’s post from last Friday from our Grace and Truth Linkup. I’m featuring it this week to make sure she’s on your radar, too, as one of your “one’s” to pray for.
Read Jerralea’s post at her blog Jerralea’s Journey, and pray for her as she waits on the Lord.
“Positive in a Time of COVID”
Share your own blog posts at the linkup below.
1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.
2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.
3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).
We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.
MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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Now Let’s Link Up!
Have you or someone you loved had COVID-19? Share your thoughts in the comments.