By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

Sometimes within my work as a chaplain there is as much humor as there is sadness. Some questions are expected, yet others can pin my soul right to the wall.

For some my visit is a time when, in different ways and words, they want to know if they can trust me. They sometimes think a church has sent me to see them.  So the first question asked is often, “What church do you go to?” I tell them that I am a Board-certified clinical chaplain, not sent to their bedside from a local church. Then, I assure them that within our conversation, “All faiths (or lack of it) are honored.”

Then, I ask, “Would you like to talk about why you are here and how this illness is affecting your life?” This starts a conversation allowing us to get to know one another a bit more. At times they open up and talk about their fears regarding their health and the uncertainties involved with illness. I take this opportunity to ask, “Within life, what helps you when hard things happen?”

It is obvious that many people have faith in God and pray.  Others want to ask questions about the fact they would like to believe the Bible, or in God, yet can’t get past certain questions they have. Occasionally, this conversation will find the person asking how they can prepare their souls since death may come next. They want to know how to be ready for that next step, realizing quite fully that no one gets out of here alive.

A given is that God is holy and often our lives are “not so holy.” So, the first step in coming to God in prayer normally finds us humans wanting to be forgiven so our souls “can warrant a conversation with Almighty God.” The “sinner’s prayer,” when people are willing to say it, often brings a flood of relief, even great joy. An abundance of tears are sometimes seen. These are not tears of sadness, but of a joy that arises when a person senses that God is real—and really there for them. They realize the Holy Spirit has entered their lives. It can be a powerful event when people respond to the “knock” heard at heart’s door resulting in a “yes” for Jesus Christ to enter in—intending for Him to guide their lives.

Recently, while with a patient, I was asked some hard questions: such as, “Who created God?” I explained that God is beyond science.  Rather, God is about faith. When a person asks for God’s Holy Spirit to cleanse their heart and forgive them, a journey of faith begins. Freedom from guilt and shame over past behaviors creates inner peace. While hearing and reading the Scriptures, answers come to one’s heart bringing joy and assurance.

Still, there are mysteries to be pondered. For instance, a question about the “trinity” came up recently. This person asked, “How can God be both Father and Son at the same time, plus include a third person—the Holy Spirit?”

I admitted there is lots to be said about this, but boldly extended my version, saying, “Think of us humans as having a body, a mind and a soul (spirit). Majorly as humans we are different from God. He is omnipotent– all-powerful. God has no limits. So God can be three persons at once, each being able to act separately, while still being One.

Another question that also troubles people at times is “Why did God have to send his son to die on the cross ‘for our sins?’ ’’ Ultimately this is a matter covered well in Hebrew 2: 9-12, “. . . according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.”

The sacrificing of animals was a ritual practiced since the beginning of time. Sin is innate for the human soul—and tenacious. Yet, out of love for us, Jesus came to shed His blood for us, thus providing a covering for the sins of all who place their trust in Him. So, it was out of the greatest of all loves that God’s plan provided the means for freeing us from our sins.

Verse 12 assures us that “. . . it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” We have only to ask for the Lord Jesus to cover our sins, acknowledging Him as our Lord. He becomes our Savior once we believe in Him and receive Him as our Savior, which grants us the right and the power to become a child of God. Therefore, after death, we are granted eternal life with Him.

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Please consider extending my Home page to family members and friends who are struggling with grief, life adjustment, or on a search for spiritual care. The website is filled with “Helps.”  Free for copying and sharing.