Prayer to find joy in caring for others
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“Pure joy, my brothers and sisters, think about each time you face many kinds of trials” – James 1:2
Caring for others is satisfying and rewarding, but emotionally and physically difficult and exhausting. But we find joy, whether it’s a parent who cares for the child, a spouse who cares for the husband or wife, or an adult child who cares for the parent. Still, even on good days, it can be tiring to care for others on challenging and challenging days, especially as we work in automatic mode and barely make it through the day.
As Christians, God helps us. Isaiah 41:10 says, “For I am the Lord of your God who says, “Look at your right hand and says, “Don’t be afraid, I will help you.” ”
But preparing meals, catching up to the laundry, caring for personal needs and possible medical issues is a difficult task for any person, especially when caring for someone they love 24/7. Similarly, caregivers often feel unprepared or unequipped to assume responsibility.
So, through that, how do caregivers find joy when they feel on the brink of collapse? Below are five ways we can help us experience joy in the midst of caring for others.
1. God offers us snacks and satisfaction
God assures us in Jeremiah 31:25 that we will “refresh what we are tired and satisfy the faintest man.”
So, when we go 24/7 as caregivers, especially when day and night seem to be endless and unstoppable, we can look to God, trust him, refresh us and satisfy us with our exhaustion. Those who provide care take us on our own spiritual journey, not for the faint hearted person, but by doing it. Hopefully, we will grow and learn as we learn as we learn as we try to nurture, direct and help others through our journey of dealing with our will, challenges and spiritual growth.
2. God offers us relief
1 Peter 5:7 urges, “I will cast all your anxiety on him because he cares about you.”
We were never created to take all the responsibility that comes with caring for others ourselves. God understands the weight of it, and he will, so he stretches his arms towards us, saying, “Give me all that.”
3. God gives us rest
Jesus calls out to us, “Come to me, all who are tired and burdened, and I will give you a rest” (Matthew 11:28).
God’s arms reach out to us, calling us to approach him. He offers us rest from the fatigue that comes with being a 24-hour caregiver.
4. God calms our fears
Lament 3:57 explains how I approached you when I called you and said, ‘Don’t be afraid.’ ”
Caregivers often face their own fears and anxiety. Often they are not known to themselves until they hide deep inside. In a terrible time, we can call upon God and know that He will approach us and free us from our fears.
5. God will let us lean on him
With God, we don’t have to have all the answers ourselves. As Proverbs 3:5 encourages, “I trust in the Lord with all my heart, and I will not understand in your own understanding.”
By turning to him, God helps us and guides us to making critical and practical care decisions to help us and not wear us in an attempt to understand what we should do next. As Jesus explains in John 14:26, the Holy Spirit is available 24/7.
Let’s pray:
Dear Father,
With a sincere heart, we appreciate the opportunities you have given us in this life to take care of others, and the many blessings that it brings to our hearts in doing so. We will fulfill us with your joy as we take care of those who need our love, attention and assistance. Look to you for a refreshment, satisfy our hearts, find relief and rest within you. Tell us how we look to you when horrifying thoughts try to overcome us and show us how to lean against you for all the guidance we do as caregivers.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GetTyimages/MonkeyBusinessImages
Lynette Kittle is married to four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships and life. Her writings have been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, Kirkcameron.com, ungrind.org, startmarriageright.com and more. She holds a Masters degree in Communications from Regent University and is an associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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