Resting In God's PeacePrøve

God’s Peace to Persevere

When Jamie’s dad was diagnosed with AD, she became a part-time caregiver along with his wife. It is an honor to care for someone you love, but being a caregiver of someone with AD is beyond challenging. It will require all the energy, empathy and patience you can muster. If you know someone in a caregiving situation, they need all the encouragement and inspiration you can offer. Burnout and fatigue are real struggles. We can also be so caught up in our caring for another that we don’t care for ourselves. Don’t ignore your own health care needs. 

Just like the person facing a disease like AD needs support, those who care for them do too. We can feel alone in our caring, not wanting to burden others or feeling embarrassed by the behavior of those we care for. Having emotional support is crucial. Good communication between caregivers can relieve stress as well. You may not all agree on every point, so give each other a little breathing room, and lots of patience. The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) is an excellent source of information as you enter into this role. 

Managing your own stress is important. Are you taking on too much? Are you getting help when you need it? Are you getting exercise? Understanding what is under your control to change and what isn’t is key in decreasing your frustration and burnout as a caregiver (and as a patient). Avail yourself of good medical information on the needs of the one you care for. Surround yourself with supportive people who can pray for you, give you a break, and be a sounding board for handling situations as they come up. 

Belivers in Jesus are called to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Let’s do this for each other. When we encourage each other, work together in an attitude of peace, “the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11). Caregiving can be a long haul experience, but persevering has it’s rewards (see James 1:12). 

Jamie experienced the rewards of being faithful in caring for her dad—who had been a difficult man to love. As she cared for him, she was able to see him in a new way. AD taught Jamie that we all are human, and we all have our imperfections that sometimes hurt others. As she looked into her father’s empty eyes, she saw her own imperfect reflection of herself. And she discovered that, yes, she could love him and herself again. 

Respond

What roadblocks make it difficult to persevere as you face your challenges, or help someone who is struggling?

Who can help you prepare to handle the work and changes you face in caring for someone who is struggling? How can you educate yourself and find support in your role as a caregiver or as a patient?

What rewards do you hope for as you faithfully care for another? How can helping someone else teach you about God’s love for you?