The Life of a Caregiver
Caregiving is a meaningful, yet difficult way of life. Whether caring for your kids, your aging parents, or a loved one who is ill, your life is focused on meeting the needs of others. Most days your heart is full of love and compassion, but there are times when your heart is darkened by resentment. All the time and energy you spend focusing on others can leave you feeling physically and spiritually drained. You grow lonely and tired, and you long to be cared for and nurtured—to be served instead of serving another.
The Life of Christ
Consider Jesus. He lived a life of service. Matthew 20:28 explains, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus continued loving and giving even to those who ridiculed and hated Him.
Where did Jesus get the strength to live this life of service? The Bible tells us how He made time to be alone with His Father, God. In their alone times, Jesus received love and nourishment for His soul, encouragement to stay the course, and joy and peace to strengthen Him for service.
We all need love, nurture, and encourage-ment. We all desire joy and peace. We need someone to remind us of the good things in life when the bad things weigh us down. Jesus had God. Who do we have?
The Life of Christ in a Caregiver
We too have God. He longs to be our strength, to meet with us and whisper words of love and joy into our hearts. But the Bible tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). How can we enjoy an intimate relationship with God if our sins separate us from him?
Out of His love for us, God has provided a way to this abundant life with Him. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). By willingly dying on the cross, He took on the full punishment for our sins, reconciling us to God. Jesus explains, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Jesus’ death was the greatest act of service ever performed, and it was much more than an example for us to follow. It is the key to having a relationship with God for all eternity. And when Jesus rose again three days later, He showed that He had conquered death and that He would live forever in Heaven, always there to listen to our prayers and give comfort when we call on Him.
As caregivers, our greatest source of strength for the challenges we face is the power and love of the living God. When you receive Jesus as your Savior, you carry this power and love within you, through the Holy Spirit. By making time to be alone with God in prayer and Bible study, His presence will renew and refresh you.
Pour out your heart to God. Tell Him your sins and ask for His forgiveness. Tell Him your sorrows and fears for the future, and ask Him for help. When you have a relationship with God, you can lean on Him in this journey and His strength will surely carry you through it.
Prayer of Salvation
It can be hard to admit that you need someone else to lean on. But the truth is that we all need Jesus. We all need His forgiveness, love, and strength. Jesus promises us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Invite Jesus into your heart, and let Him give you the rest your soul desires.
If you have not yet received Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you can do this now by praying to Him and believing the following words:
God, I am weak and I need You. I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I realize my sin leads to death, and I want Your gift of eternal life. I believe that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die for me and it is through Him that my sins are forgiven. Jesus, I ask You to come into my life and be my Savior and Lord. I look forward to learning more about You, growing in my understanding of Your love for me and Your will for my life. Now, I ask You to empower me to lovingly care for others as You lovingly care for me. I pray all this in the power of Jesus’ name. Amen.