Lessons Learned from My Sickness – Part 19: Sensitivity
By Pastor Ronny Luces
According to the dictionary, this word means the awareness and understanding of others’ needs or feelings, the ability to respond to perceived inadequacies, and the strength of the physical and emotional reaction.
The opposite of sensitivity is apathy, numbness, unresponsiveness, unfeeling, and hard-heartedness.
To be called “sensitive” is to be able to have a positive description.
Many favorable things happened in people’s lives because actions made by sensitive persons had helped solve their problems or eased the burdens they were carrying.
I owe a great debt of gratitude to many people whose sensitivity eased my pain, answered my needs, and brought me joy.
The day after my release from hospital confinement was the Jaro fiesta. For those unfamiliar with the event, traffic is closed, and streets are filled with all kinds of vendors, noise and dirt pollution proliferates.
For us living in the central part of the district (near the Jaro plaza), it means being vulnerable to 24-hour noise, smoke and dirt pollution, and transportation difficulty.
Being newly released from the hospital, I still suffer from shortness of breathing and have difficulty in my physical movements.
The question which occupied my mind in anticipation of the fiesta was, “How can my body rest in the middle of such discomfort?”
Without my knowing it, sensitive members of Jaro Evangelical Church had already prepared for such an eventuality.
They had already made a reservation in a nearby beach resort to have a cottage to accommodate my family and me for two days so that we can avoid the inconveniences of the fiesta celebration!
The sensitivity of these concerned church members enabled them to plan what to do during my time of need.
How wonderful to have Christian brothers and sisters like them!
I praise God for giving us sensitive members in the family of faith!
Posted on FB: 11 March 2015 – 2:56 PM
About the Author
Rev. Ronny Luces was the Minister for Administration and Community Service of the Jaro Evangelical Church (JEC), Iloilo City, Philipines. He and his wife, Martha have been with JEC’s ministry since 1994.
Pastor Ronny graduated from Central Philippine University College of Theology in 1985 and was pastor of several Baptist churches.
In January 2015, after tests and two long hospital confinements, Pastor Ronny got the word he had lung cancer. He underwent chemotherapy.
Praying for healing and going through all the medical processes, Pastor Ronny wrote his reflections “Lessons Learned from My Sickness.” In July 2015, he passed away.
May Pastor Ronny’s series of reflections and meditations strengthen your hope and faith as you go through your own life’s battles.
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