Lifetime Guarantee

“Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.” Ah! Easier said than done.

Many times, as caregivers, fear invades us. What will the future hold? How long will this situation continue? How will we handle all the decisions? Do we have the strength to do all that needs to be done?

Discouragement also assaults us. A family member backs out of a planned night of relief. Our loved one experiences side effects from medications that were supposed to help. A new treatment fails, destroying our hope.

We can choose to concentrate on these dark emotions—or we can consciously focus on what God tells us in Deuteronomy 1:21, above, and promises in Joshua 1:5–6: “‘As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous’” (NIV). As He was with Moses, the Lord Himself goes before us, stays with us, and never abandons us. His guarantee is His lifelong commitment to be with us through both pleasant and difficult times. Even in the darkness of fear and discouragement, He pledges His presence.

God will hold our fear and discouragement in His hands until the time is ripe to change those heavy feelings into His joy. He surrounds us now with His presence and forges ahead of us into our future, preparing our way so we can confidently obey the command: “‘Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.’”