3-Letter Words

 Does it ever feel like you are being pressed on every side? Who am I talking to? Caregivers often feel like life is being conducted in a crucible. We deal with blow after blow, day after day. Sometimes, it's emotional blows, grief, sadness, and loss. These are things we cannot see, but boy, do we feel them.

Other times, it's physical. I'm not sure there is a feeling worse than being a caregiver who can't caregive because of illness or impairment, even if it's a temporary setback due to an injury. During Flu season or Covid outbreaks, God forbid the caregiver catch something. It's more than "difficult" to care for someone when you are feeling less than your best.

But even without these "extra" frustrating complications, it's easy to feel squished all the time. We may find ourselves always living on the edge, and it's not what Aerosmith was talking about, either! Lol. 

David was in a very different situation, but he was responsible for caring for and providing for a nation! In Psalm 3:1, he pours his heart out before God. Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. (NKJ)I love that he is not afraid to state it like he sees it - or feels it! In the next verse, he continues pouring out his anguish before the Lord.

In verse 3, though, he shifts gears. It just takes a little 3-letter word. But. But, You, O Lord, are my shield, the one who lifts my head. That little word, but, is powerful. It totally shifts the mood from here I am right now, God, pressed on every side, to: I know You've got me!

No matter how difficult our circumstances, how hard the course, or how emotionally draining caregiving can be, we can say, but God has me still. I may be crushed on every side, there may be fightings without and fears within, like Paul said once. But God. That little word, but, is a game-changer. We can acknowledge the realness of our situations without losing faith. We can be open and honest with God about our emotional and mental state, and still trust Him completely. Being honest about our thoughts and feelings doesn't negate our trust in Him. In fact, to be able to express our deepest concerns, fears, and doubts to Him is an absolute act of faith and trust. He gets us!

Today, I will pour my heart out before God and lay it all at His feet. Then, I will walk away and let Him handle all of it and me! I'll remind myself that it may look dire and scary - but God. God is still with me. He won't leave when life looks or feels ugly. My meditation will be on God being my shield, the One who protects, preserves, and keeps my soul. I will declare that He is my strength today as I trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?

Check out one of my best-selling books - 31 Days in Psalm 31. It's a devotional taken from Psalm 31 (obviously!) - a time when David was hiding in a cave from Saul - even though he'd been anointed the next king. The social isolation of caregiving can certainly make it feel like we live in a cave, but God is there with us. And that's what this 31-day devotional is all about, exploring and discovering God in the caves of life. You can get the eBook from my shop at Buy Me A Coffee. Or the print and kindle versions are available in my Amazon Shop.