
Focus on Jesus
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”—Luke 10:41–42 (NIV)
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.—COLOSSIANS 3:2 NIV
Our perception of our caregiving experience—either as something we have to do or something we’ve been blessed to do—is determined by the thoughts we have.
If we’re thankful that God has given us the ability to extend care, we’ll be more content. If we think about how we’re being used by God to touch the life of another person, we’ll be grateful. If we consider how God is helping us, we’ll find the strength to carry on when things get tough. But if we don’t have the right thinking, we’ll find ourselves struggling.
The apostle Peter learned what happens when our thoughts turn the wrong way. When he first asked to walk to Jesus on the water, he had the right thinking. When his thoughts shifted, though, he began to sink. A quick cry to Jesus saved Peter’s day.
The Lord will also pull us up when our wrong thinking has caused us to stumble. He doesn’t want us to think of this caregiving season, however long, as being simply duty and heartache. Thoughts of love and compassion toward our loved one can be ours if we’ll keep our minds set on God.
Dear God, I pray to keep my thoughts upon You and not on all the stuff that goes on around me. Help me to have the right thinking about my caregiving.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”—Luke 10:41–42 (NIV)

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.—Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.—Psalm 91:11 (NIV)