Caring WellNäide

Listen for The Still Small Voice

1 Kings 19, 11 through 12, New King James version reads, “Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”

The part of caregiving that was the hardest for me was handling Mom’s health issues. I’m not trained as a nurse or medical doctor, and her flare-ups and health crises were downright scary. I didn’t always know what to do. You probably can relate.

One morning was particularly challenging, as I couldn’t seem to get her breathing stabilized, even after a couple of breathing treatments. I was at a loss for what to do. I went to a quiet place and plopped down. I encouraged myself, “It’s going to be all right.”

And then, deep within my spirit, I heard, “And you don’t have to be the one to make it all right.”

That gentle whisper inside my spirit brought a sense of relief and a release. As my fear subsided and was replaced by the belief that this situation would turn out all right, I texted Mom’s nurse practitioner for a consult. I did not have to figure this out alone.

We caregivers too often feel pressured to make everything “be all right,” as if we control every situation. Sometimes that pressure comes in the form of the noisy voices of others; other times it is from self-inflicted chatter. We are tempted to play the role of superwoman, trying to fix everything that ails our loved one, and then find ourselves drained from overworking and over-fixing.

We find someone in Scripture who experienced the highs and lows of trying to make everything all right. Elijah ran for his life, after which God took Elijah to a place where God could give Elijah instructions for the next step of his journey. As we read in the Scripture above, God whispered, and Elijah heard the voice of God.

When you are at a loss for what to do, find a place where you can hear what is necessary for the next step. You must calm your frightened thoughts and emotions and pray for wisdom and help. Then listen for the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. Learn to discern the gentle whispers of the Spirit from the loud, distracting voices of guilt, pressure, and pride.

Dear God, who whispers softly but surely, I yearn to hear your voice guiding me and giving me peace and direction. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reflection:

What do you need to do today to become quiet and still so you can hear the gentle whisper of the Spirit, which can provide you with just what you need? Somewhere on your long to-do list, carve out some time today to listen to that still, small voice.

*This devotion is taken from Jeanne Porter King’s book Caring Well: 90 Self-Care Devotions for the African American Caregiver.