For those of you who don’t know, I’m a physician assistant by trade. No this doesn’t mean that I answer phones and manage the schedule of a doctor. I’m see my own patients and prescribe medication under the “supervision” of a doctor. Supervision is a loose term because the physician is hardly on site, available for consultation as needed. All that to say, I’m on my own in the clinic. As a new grad, you can imagine the sheer panic that I felt on seeing my first few patients. Let me walk you through my “secret sauce” or in other words my “superpower” of being a PA.
My first job out of school was at a fast-paced urgent care. A patient having any level of acuity could walk through the doors needing treatment. For example, I’ve seen the person with a bug in their ear to the person with chest pain similar to their last heart attack. I’ve had a person walk in struggling to breathe only to collapse moments later. Then there’s the person who bit their fingernail too close and now it hurts. I’m grateful for the ability to learn so much, however, the first few shifts brought an element of terror. So, how did I handle it? There were three things that became my go-to sources. I consulted resources, i.e. textbooks or online medical sites. I phoned a friend, i.e. an old classmate, fellow colleague, or my supervising physician. The most efficient source came from asking God. Whenever steps one or two failed, this one always worked for me. That’s not to say God was my last resort. There were many times when something wasn’t adding up and I’d immediately ask Him. No matter the timing, He’d always answer me. The only description of this is like a Spidey sense (or Peter Tingle if you like the new Marvel movies). He’d say “ask the patient this question” or “run this lab test”. When the story didn’t add up, He let me know if the patient was being truthful. I know right…goosebumps!
As time passed, I became more comfortable being a PA. Experience causes you not to second guess yourself as much. I used my resources less as I grew in my profession. Then comes a global pandemic, uncertainty looming more than ever. Each day is met with new recommendations and guidelines. The resources are non-existent because no one has seen the likes of this virus. Needless to say, it’s stressful. Yesterday, I was reminded of my Spidey sense. I felt like the Holy Spirit said this: “Why have you stopped asking Me?” Ouch! Had I let pride cause me to forget my need for God? Were my circumstances shifting my eyes off Him? With His proven track record, He’d surely guide my treatment of every situation. Apart from Him, I’m striving, but in Him I can have rest.
So, what have you picked up that should be surrendered to God? Will you try to control the situation or will you ask Him for help? We actually do have a superpower and it’s the Holy Spirit. He can guide us through EVERYTHING! He will reveal things spoken in secret. He’s that inner voice saying: “This is the way”. When we follow Him, it’ll make us look like geniuses. Apply your Spidey sense to your everyday life!
Be encouraged! :)
written by: Christa Martina
FB page: See Martina Write
Scripture References: Isaiah 30:21 “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
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