Content presented by Home Instead Senior Care.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple…. 1 Corinthians 3:16
For the second time in their 42-year marriage, Laine’s husband fell ill with Guillain-Barre syndrome. Within hours, he became paralyzed and was placed on a respirator. Recovery was a grueling journey over many years.
During the first months, Laine kept vigil at her husband’s side, praying and searching for signs of recovery as she struggled to maintain her career and an additional job that provided critical health insurance. When she finally brought her husband home, she doubted her ability to oversee his challenging rehabilitation.
He was a large man, and transferring him required a lift. Her concerns were justified; over the course of time, her energy and strength were drained by the challenges of his care. Caregivers don’t have endless energy. Investing in the needs of others—friends, co-workers, family, godchildren and even our beloved pets—requires us to attend to our own physical, emotional, relational and spiritual needs.
We must first acknowledge that our needs are a priority, then invest in self-care as a critical facet of caring for others. Pray about these areas. Ask God to show you simple steps to take to refresh your energy—then take those steps, without guilt. You cannot provide the best care for others unless you take care of yourself.
Enjoying this excerpt from our new booklet, Strength for Helping Hearts? Get a free copy and check out our collection of other free booklets.
