The Spiritual Fitness ManualSample

First Responder Self-Care—Avoiding Burnout: Part 1

By Reverend Hillary R. Bercovici, PH.D, Former NYC-EMS Paramedic, NYC Disaster Chaplaincy Services Volunteer

I was completely burned out. After less than three years on the streets of Manhattan’s East Side, the South Bronx and Harlem, I was ready to quit. I wasn’t alone. Several of the most highly skilled first responders I knew were questioning their own effectiveness. A number of my medic classmates were becoming bitter. Some had already left for other jobs.

As it turned out, nothing in my training or experience as a NYC-EMS Paramedic had taught me about self-care as the vital key to avoiding burnout.

Although you won’t find the term “self-care” in your concordance, the Bible is full of critically important guidance on this topic. Faithful, biblical self-care actually starts with accepting and receiving God’s care for us. 

Grace: All self-care begins with receiving God’s “amazing grace.” Even before we turned to Him in faith, much less in love, He loved us. God loves us for who we are and just the way we are! The foundation of “self-care love” is God’s love for us. It’s “amazing grace” because it’s completely unconditional love. 

Mercy: Self-care also means accepting and receiving God’s mercy. We stand completely forgiven because of the cross of Christ. In the great Book of Life, our account shows a zero balance. Instead of judging and condemning the world, God showed His mercy. God’s mercy toward us allows us to be merciful toward ourselves.

Peace: Self-care rests and abides in God’s reconciling “Shalom.” Christ’s self-giving love has given us eternal peace with God. Our reconciliation has been won and needs only to be accepted. Deep acceptance of Christ’s love means deeply resting in Him. As we abide and rest in Him, He abides and rests in us.