CCC 27-2_LR

CLINICAL PRACTICE

Compassion in Christ-centered Counseling from the Society for Christian Psychology CHRISTIAN PSYCH NOTES Nicolene L. Joubert, Ph.D.

t Introduction The Latin origin of the word fatigue ( fatigare ) means “to be weary,” “to tire out,” or from the pre-Latin adjective “fati-agos” meaning “driving to the point of breakdown.” Several verses in the Bible refer to being tired and weary and God’s promise to give us rest. For example, Jeremiah 31:25 (AMP) states: “For I [fully] satisfy the weary soul, and I replenish every languishing and sorrowful person.” And Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB): “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls . For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” In Genesis 25:29, Esau is described as “exhausted” after hunting and being without food for a couple of days. In his exhaustion, he made a life-changing decision with

severe consequences. The lesson in this event is that our ability to make wise and rational decisions is affect ed when we are fatigued. Our ability to have and show compassion is also affected, especially in ministries or careers where compassion plays a critical role, such as caring for the sick or counseling traumatized people. Cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally, exhaustion affects us negatively. Compassion Fatigue Compassion is a noun of action borrowed from French that historically was used to refer to the action of suf fering with someone or to have pity. The first part of the word, com , means together, and patio means pity (Oxford, English Dictionary, 2023). Thus, the ability or capacity to share the painful feelings of another in a

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