Why Faith Can Lead to a More Painful Death

“The doctors say one thing, but I know God has other plans.”

As a hospital chaplain with more than 20 years of experience walking with patients, families, and clinicians at the end of life—and as someone with a deep faith of my own—I hear this phrase all the time. And I want to be clear: I believe in miracles. I believe in heaven. I believe that only God knows when our final day on this earth will be.

But I have also seen, again and again, how this belief—when paired with incomplete information—can unintentionally lead to far more suffering at the end of life.

In this video, I talk honestly about why deeply religious people are often more likely to ask doctors to “do everything,” including CPR, breathing machines, and aggressive treatments—even when those treatments can no longer heal and may cause significant pain. I also explore why this is so confusing and heartbreaking for doctors, many of whom desperately want to save lives and struggle deeply when medicine reaches its limits.

Drawing on my years in the ICU and hospital settings, I explain:

Why faith in God does not require aggressive medical interventions

Why CPR and life-support can be profoundly painful when they cannot heal

How trusting God does not mean distrusting doctors—but understanding their limits

How miracles are not dependent on machines

Why hospice is not “giving up,” but often an act of deep faith and love

According to studies from the Pew Research Center, most Americans believe in heaven and believe that miracles still happen today. The question is not whether God can perform miracles—but whether our medical choices at the end of life reflect the peace, trust, and surrender our faith teaches.

If you are facing an end-of-life decision for someone you love—or simply want to understand what “doing everything” really means—I hope this video offers clarity, compassion, and reassurance.

If this conversation brings up grief, fear, or heavy emotions, please give yourself grace today. Take time to pray, reflect, or step outside. You are not alone.

👉 Want to learn more about hospice and why it can sometimes give more time, not less?
Click the link here to watch our Hospice Playlist:    • Hospice  

For spiritual support, education, or to connect with a chaplain, visit:
https://mychaplainconnect.com

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#DNR/DNI
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#cpr
#miracle
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