Day 7: You Don't Carry This Alone

The onset of a diagnosis can feel especially heavy for us as parents and caregivers. We must retain all the information that medical professionals are telling us, not to mention the immense emotional weight of learning your child will likely not grow up how you expected. You can often see parents really lean into this burden, shouldering it as if it is their badge of honor. Of course, we should always be good stewards of the children God has entrusted in our care (along with their medical condition). Still, when the title of "advocate" causes us to place ourselves above the ultimate Advocate, that title can actually become an idol in our lives. This is a form of control that needs to be surrendered to the Holy Spirit, and it's a burden that He never designed for us to carry alone.

He did not say, "My yoke is easy, and My burden is light, except for when you are a special needs parent. Then you're on your own." No! Jesus paid for all our sins, shame, and disobedience on the cross. He offered us salvation so we no longer have to live under the weight of self-sufficiency! Considering the cost, He paid to give us freedom and joy; it's kind of crazy that we can feel the need to carry the burden of our child's diagnoses without Him. He cares deeply for your child, which is easy to accept, but can you also accept that He cares for you? This journey may not be easy, but we can fall back on the One who paid for it all. Allow Him to take Your burdens of disappointment and stress. It is His joy and His request that you do so. If you can trust Him with your salvation, you can trust Him with this. He is faithful beyond all reason, and He will never let us down.

Prayer:

Thank you, God, that I do not carry this burden of parenting alone! You refresh me and release me from all heavy yokes. Nothing is too heavy for you so that I can give you every fear, anxious thought, and disappointment, and you will carry me through.

Declaration:

I will not carry things He did not ask me to. Because of His power, I can walk free of anxiety and hopelessness, and He will supply all I need!