What to Do When You Are Faced with Difficult Caregiver Decisions
When being a caregiver, you will be faced with countless difficult decisions, some seemingly impossible. Some even paralyzing. What I want to encourage you to do is to embrace the paralysis.
I know that sounds crazy, but hear me out. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines paralysis as the loss of the ability to move.
That’s right…FREEZE! DON’T MOVE! Just BE STILL.
How many times does the Lord tell His people to be still throughout His word? More importantly, what does He say He’ll do if we would just be still?
I’ll tell what He’ll do:
- He will fight for you.
- He will be exalted (Glorified).
- He will be your rock, your salvation, your fortress.
- He will do great things before your eyes.
- He will renew your strength.
- He is good to those that wait on Him.
- He will give you peace.
What does it mean to be still?
Have you ever had a one-sided friendship? One where the other person did all the talking, all the borrowing. Asking for your advice, but never listening. Only calling you when they need something or are bored.
How did that friendship work out for you? Not so good, huh?
God wants a true relationship with us, just like you would want with anyone you love. Not just a begging leach of a friend, who never really stops to listen. He wants to connect with us and have a two-way conversation.
However, our relationship with God is a little more complex than your average friendship. While yes, He is our friend, He is also our Lord.
El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty.
Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who Heals.
Elohim- Shama, the God who Hears.
Sar-Shalom, the Prince of Peace.
Adonai-Jehovah, the Lord our Sovereign.
So, when we come to Him with our petitions and prayers, we have the freedom to leave them right there at His feet and just BE STILL. Knowing that God Almighty, the Prince of Peace hears and is able to heal, but is also sovereign.
Question: Mom is declining, should we start hospice or continue with treatment?
Answer: Consult God and BE STILL.
Question: The doctors are suggesting a tube feeding for dad. What should I do?
Answer: Consult God and BE STILL.
Question: I don’t know if I can handle my husband at home anymore. Should I put him in a skilled nursing facility?
Answer: Consult God and BE STILL.
I have held many caregivers’ hands when they were faced with difficult decisions and I know the one thing they have wanted more than anything was PEACE. Peace in knowing that their loved one would be comfortable. Peace in knowing that could live with the outcome, no matter the results. Peace in knowing that they made the right decision.
Well, I just so happen to serve a God who is able to deliver peace, even in your darkest hour. Not just any old kind of peace, but incomprehensible peace. The kind of peace that mystifies human understanding.
Philippians 4:7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
https://www.bible.com/111/php.4.6-7.niv
Here is what the word says about being still:
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/exo.14.14.niv
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Psalms 27:14 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/psa.27.14.niv
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalms 46:10 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/psa.46.10.niv
“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD.”
Lamentations 3:25-26 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/lam.3.25-26.nkjv
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.”
Psalms 62:5-6 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/psa.62.5-6.nkjv
“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/isa.40.31.nkjv
“Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; Thereby good will come to you. Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, And lay up His words in your heart.”
Job 22:21-22 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/job.22.21-22.nkjv
So, I encourage you to be paralyzed before the Lord today. Before you get overwhelmed with all of the potentially life-altering decisions flying your way, consult God and BE STILL, and watch the peace of God lead and comfort you.
I’ll leave you with a prayer.
As always, I would love to hear from you in the comments or you can email me with comments, questions, or prayer request at stephanie@caregivinggracefully.com
Be blessed and BE STILL,
Stephanie
Be still and let God fight for you… If only I could remember to do that!
WOW! Love this! BE STILL! Such a great reminder! The scripture to remind us to lean and trust our Father is so refreshing!
It truly is Val. What an AWESOME God we serve! Thanks for commenting.
Such an encouraging post. Really helped me focus on the here and now. Thanks for reminding us to be still.
Thank you Ava!
What wonderful contribution you bring to the blogosphere! My mother is caregiver for my father. It is so hard… God bless you in your nursing ministry.
Thank you so much Tammy. Bless you!