February invites us to slow down and reflect on love, not just the romantic kind, but the kind that sustains us as nurses, caregivers, and human beings. In healthcare, love is not a soft word. It is a discipline, a sacrifice, and a daily choice. Scripture calls this agape, the highest form of love. Unconditional. Selfless. Willing to serve even when it costs something. And if we’re honest, nursing requires this kind of love every single day.
Whether we’re in a hospital setting, outpatient clinic, travel assignment, or community setting, we are constantly asked to give pieces of ourselves for the sake of others. We advocate, we comfort, we protect, we respond. We risk. We show up. We pour out. But in the midst of all this giving, God invites us to pause and ask a deeper question:
“Why am I doing this? Is it for money… or for humanity?”
Because the truth is, nursing is more than a paycheck. It is a calling to preserve the dignity, safety, and well-being of the communities we live in. It is a ministry of presence. It is love in action.
Agape Love in Nursing: A Love That Costs Something
Agape love is not based on emotion. It is rooted in commitment, compassion, and obedience to God’s heart for people.
Nurses live this out when we:
- Sit with a patient who is afraid
- Advocate when no one else will
- Offer dignity in someone’s final moments
- Choose patience when we feel stretched thin
- Show compassion even when we’re exhausted
This is love that mirrors Christ, love that sees the person before the problem. But God also reminds us that love must include wisdom.
“To obey is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22
Sometimes obedience looks like rest.
Sometimes obedience looks like saying no.
Sometimes obedience looks like not chasing every shift, even when the money is tempting.
Because burnout is not holy. Exhaustion is not a badge of honor. And God never asked us to save the world, only to serve faithfully within the limits of our humanity.
God’s Definition of Love
Here are a few verses that anchor us in what love truly means:
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 — “Love is patient, love is kind… it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
- John 15:12 — “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
- 1 John 4:7–8 — “Let us love one another, for love comes from God.”
- Mark 12:31 — “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Psalm 73:26 — “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
These verses remind us that love is not only outward, but it is also inward.
You cannot pour what you do not have.
The True Origin of Valentine’s Day
Before Valentine’s Day became roses and chocolate, it was rooted in sacrifice and conviction. St. Valentine was known for:
- Defending Christia wwwn marriage
- Caring for persecuted believers
- Demonstrating courage rooted in faith
The day was never meant to be about romance alone it was meant to honor love that stands firm, love that protects, love that reflects God’s heart. As nurses, we embody this kind of love every day.
Why February Matters in the Healthcare Community: Heart Health Month
Every February, the nation pauses to recognize American Heart Month, a public health campaign established in 1964 to bring awareness to the leading cause of death in the United States: heart disease. For nurses, this month hits close to home, not only because we care for patients with cardiovascular conditions every day, but because we ourselves are at higher risk.
Long shifts, emotional strain, inconsistent sleep, skipped meals, and chronic stress all take a toll on the cardiovascular system. Many nurses spend their days teaching patients about heart health while quietly ignoring their own warning signs.
Heart Health Month is a reminder that:
- Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for both men and women in the U.S.
- Many cases are preventable through lifestyle changes, stress management, and early detection
- Nurses are not exempt. In fact, our profession increases risk factors
- Emotional and spiritual heart health are deeply connected to physical wellbeing
This month isn’t just about red dresses and awareness campaigns. It’s about reclaiming the health of the very organ that keeps us alive, the same heart we use to love, serve, advocate, and show up for others.
Your patients need you, but God needs you whole.
🎧 Ready to Go Deeper? Listen to the All One Nurse Podcast
If this message is stirring something in you, I invite you to listen to episodes that help you reflect, heal, grow, or be more informed:
✨ Trauma & Emotional Response — with Terry DeAragonUnderstand why you respond the way you do and how to reclaim your emotional and spiritual grounding as Nurse Terry explains her own journey.
✨ Faith Over Fear Series — Building Spiritual ConfidenceLearn how to anchor yourself in God’s truth, not anxiety, fear, or self-doubt.
✨ Heart Health & Confidence — with Tonya Newsome. A powerful conversation on caring for your physical heart and your emotional resilience.These episodes will help you unpack your “why,” reconnect with God’s love, and rediscover the joy in your calling.
Listen here 👉 https://allonenurse.com/podcast-getting-back-to-the-human-side-of-healthcare-with-all-one-nurse/
All One Nurse Is Nominated!
We are honored to be nominated by Nurse.org for Nurse Podcast Creator of the Year. If this community has blessed you, encouraged you, or helped you grow, we would love your support.
Vote at: nurse.org/awards
Your vote helps amplify a faith-rooted space that is transforming the way nurses care for themselves and each other.
In Conclusion
Nursing is love in action. God’s love is the foundation. Self-love is the maintenance. Community love is the overflow. As you move through this month, may you feel God strengthening your heart, renewing your purpose, and reminding you that you are deeply loved, not just for what you do, but for who you are.
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“Bridging the gap between the stethoscope and the soul.”- Nurse Shenell
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