The Caregiver's Enemies

Chris standing at my sister's house

As caregivers, we have a unique set of enemies. Remember Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our battle isn't against flesh and blood. We are not fighting people, even though sometimes getting others to listen to us and take us seriously is quite a fight! That's okay - our real fight is against fear, doubt, and fatigue. Maybe you got a few more to add to that list. 

Of course, we are also told in 2 Corinthians 10:3 that we don't wage war with human plans and methods - we don't have natural weapons. But we do have supernatural ones! God has equipped us for the fight and He goes with us through every battle. 

Today, I used Psalm 23 for my Facebook Live devotions. One of my points was that God prepares a table for us in the presence of my enemies. (v.5) He creates this huge spread of peace, comfort, direction, truth, and love while our enemies (fear, doubt, confusion, etc.) just look on. They are NOT invited to the table - we get to eat in peace! 

And of course, this feast is spread out before us right after we came through the valley of the shadow of death. Sometimes, it can feel like the caregiver lives in that valley. Maybe it's that we are walking through it much more slowly than others. IDK. No matter what our individual valleys look like we can count on two things. 

  • God is with us - the NLT says He is close beside me. (v4a)
  • He provides comfort and protection. (v.4b)
  • He will provide a table even if our enemies keep hanging around. (v.5)
  • His goodness and mercy are still running after me! (v.6)
God will not refuse to protect us, provide for us, or comfort us just because we experience fear or doubt. The enemies of our souls can just stand there and watch Him bless us - He's not inhibited or prohibited by them - He loves us so much He will just keep pouring out His blessings and provisions on us! I love that about God.

Today, I will remind myself that no matter what this caregiving journey looks like or feels like - God's got me covered, protected, and fed. I'll think about how He doesn't wait for "better times" to take us under His wings and cover us. He is always on. Always "here." And always watching out for our souls. He's got His eye on us - even though He is fully aware of our enemy's presence. But the enemy is NOT His focus - WE ARE! I will be content to stay right where He can see me today as I trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?


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cover of the devotional Peace Out


BOOK OF THE WEEK


Peace Out!


• Did you know God gave us peace and never took it back?
• Do you need a little help refocusing your day?
•Are there really some practical steps to letting God’s peace reign in our hearts?


When the pandemic hit, we were inundated with information and misinformation. I woke up just a day or two into the mass confusion and realized that God’s peace didn’t expire in 2020. What He’d given us was still in tact and applicable to our daily lives, chaotic though they may have been. That’s when the Peace Out devotionals began live on Facebook – and continue to today.

This 31-day devotional takes a good look at peace and offers practical application on how to let it reign day after day. The presence of a storm, trial, or tribulation doesn’t negate God’s peace.

Get the eBook: https://dovesfireministriespublications.com/products/peace-out-its-in-the-bible


Kindle & Print https://www.amazon.com/Peace-Out-Bible-Jeanie-Olinger/dp/B0D64FL2CH/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=AUTHOR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JpxX2_nG3-Cnrgg1CSEez6dnq9xzXE_VYysYtqtXabp0-7ze3VBTZe2ivBbA2c2Fb9GP8l6kSUDu-tHRgjT7j8_NZPbxLjbXQPFfyrdaXNwWUXn2lNgwUHBxp7MCU_zMNtKxi1Usc9e0WUGHa65f8rqY0JE5nb_npbdasnT_0mhJUx_8BQlgidEn8-MUzWJu.8eEqpgqzbyQF90nTzR1vd00FAR2pp8Mm0qDYukYtnOE&qid=&sr=

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Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 20, 2024 at 5:19 AM

    I read your devotional over and over. They are the best for caregivers. I kinda mourn and whine (within myself) about not being able to travel anymore. It’s so hard that it’s just easier to stay home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeanie OlingerJuly 22, 2024 at 7:05 AM

      Thank you so much for reading!! Giving up travel is a huge deal - I miss it too. I always loved to travel. People don't realize how difficult traveling can be - even just a "simple" run to the store is overwhelming! Thank God for Instacart. It helps so much - but it for sure doesn't help with the feelings of social isolation. Grief is such a big part of caregiving. I'm sorry. Thanks again for reading!

      Jeanie

      Delete

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