Are you suffering from compassion fatigue or burnout? In the past few weeks, as I talked to friends, family, and business colleagues around the nation I noticed a common theme… People are tired. In fact, they are exhausted. Millions of people lost their jobs during the Pandemic and the ones who kept their jobs are exhausted from burnout. However, there is another more concerning issue going on at the same time—compassion fatigue.
I received an email from one of the ministries we support and admire, HOPE International, describing this term of compassion fatigue so I researched the term further. The American Institute of Stress defines it as “Also called “vicarious traumatization” or secondary traumatization (Figley, 1995). The emotional residue or strain of exposure to working with those suffering from the consequences of traumatic events. It differs from burn-out, but can co-exist. Compassion Fatigue can occur due to exposure on one case or can be due to a “cumulative” level of trauma.”
In contrast, the American Institute of Stress defines burnout as the “Cumulative process marked by emotional exhaustion and withdrawal associated with increased workload and institutional stress, NOT trauma-related.” The major difference is that compassion fatigue is caused by the continued exposure to the trauma of others. Burnout is also exhaustion, but it’s caused by excessive work.
Those who work serving others and tending to the needs of others such as social workers, health care providers, emergency medical technicians, police officers, and in any type of services industry may be suffering from compassion fatigue. In addition to their everyday job, the Pandemic exponentially increased the level of emotional help required from them. But these people are trained and equipped to deal with these kinds of situations.
Of major concern are all the rest of us who have not been trained to deal with these situations. In the past year, major life events happened to many people around us—on top of the Pandemic—where we needed to empathize and extend compassion. Therefore, we are now compassion fatigued. Human Resources personnel are the most likely ones affected in organizations as they listened to employees’ work-related and personal problems. We are all tired of hearing bad news. We need good news!
I personally always celebrate others’ good news and successes—whether small or big—regardless of what’s going on in my life at the time. Listening and celebrating other people’s happiness makes me happy and lifts me up too. But it’s hard to celebrate when so many people are going through some kind of sad situation or challenge. Today I want to encourage you to show compassion and empathy to those who need it but also celebrate the joy and the good news of those around you.
Discover the little good news in your life and share them with others. Lastly, whether you are feeling compassion fatigued or are burnt out, today I leave you with the good news that never change: The Good News of the Gospel! Regardless of your current situation, the good news is that there is hope—the hope we have in Jesus Christ that we will see again those we lost. The hope that God is always there for us to hold our hand and lifts us up. The hope we can be saved and be with Jesus for an eternity.
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”