Caregivers are often plagued with monotonous days of seemingly never ending things to do. Whether those who need care are children, family members who are ill, or the elderly, the sheer drudgery of life for a caregiver can be overwhelming, exhausting and depressing. Finding the courage to continue, not just make putting one foot in front of the other, but to thrive may be difficult.
Caregiver Support is Provided by God
The Bible says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:5b-7, New King James Version) If anything, the life of a caregiver is humble. So how do caregivers cast their cares on God?
The Bible indicates that when Christians pray, God can hear those prayers and answers are provided. Yet for many caregivers, it seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. How can adding something else – like prayer – help?
Even when circumstances don’t change, prayer changes two things: attitude and perspective. The following sample prayer illustrates how seeing life from a religious perspective can help the Christian see his/her life in a different light.
Sample Christian Prayer for Family Caregivers
"Great and gracious God,
"My life has become so difficult I don’t want to get out of bed in the morning. Facing a new day fills me with dread and I’m exhausted before my feet ever touch the floor. Each day is like the one before and today, and tomorrow, will be no different. I am so tired.
"I love my family, but taking care of everyone is wearing me out. Cooking, cleaning, shopping, and doctor appointments: my life is a merry-go-round that is spinning faster and faster and I can’t get off. Then there’s the laundry. The mounds of wash pile up faster than the machines and I can get them done.
"Oh Lord, please help me!
"Renew and refresh my body, my mind and my spirit each night so that when I awake my thoughts are of you rather than lists of tasks that remain undone from yesterday. Help me to focus on the present instead of looking at the road ahead. Whisper your love to me in the gentle touches of my family as I pat a head or hug shoulders, rub tired feet or scratch an itching back.
"Give me eyes to see the splashes of color – perhaps a vibrant red rose or the shining yellow of a sunflower – you have planted along my path as I run errands. As a caregiver, let me be simply a conduit allowing your love to pour through to those who need my assistance to make it through each day.
"As I prepare meals, remind me that we do not live by bread alone. Teach me to pray for those who will eat by my labor. Let me discern their greatest needs and provide words of encouragement and support.
"Place in my heart a sense of gratitude: for family, for health, for love. If I focus on how much You have already provided, my needs will be easier to bear.
"Thank you for being my shelter in the storms of life, for listening to my cries of despair, for lifting me up when I feel overwhelmed. You are my salvation and my joy, regardless of the circumstances around me. Blanket my heart with your peace which prevails over all.
"In the name of the One Who commanded the storm to be quiet; and, it did.
"Amen”
Christians believe that praying is a method that enables them to talk to God directly. Sample prayers are suggestions, like basic patterns, which can be useful for individuals whom are learning to pray. They can be personalized by adding specifics or including names, then used to begin having conversations with God.
Other Ways of Dealing With Depression
Depression should not be taken lightly. Caregivers who do not take care of their own needs may not be able to handle their caregiving responsibilities. Support groups, counseling, getting respite care or someone to help in the home are all valuable tools for the overwhelmed caregiver. Community and faith-based support groups that specialize in helping specific types of caregivers are located in most communities.
Caregivers who deal with children and elder care may be interested in Fun Home Activities for Alzheimer's Patients and Children. For medical information about memory loss in elders, see Statistics About Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia.
Mistie Shaw - Writing for nearly half a century, Shaw's interests and education meander from music to the military, and from faith to fun.
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