Mindset Mayhem

As caregivers, we can struggle in so many areas. Caregiving isn't prejudiced or discriminatory: it affects our whole being, through and through. But one of the most challenging battle arenas is the brain. It's in our minds that we figure out how to win or choose to lose each battle. Every day brings "enough trouble," as Jesus put it.  (Matthew 6:34) Boy, does it! 

We look at our days as our new "normal," but it's anything but normal. The average non-caregiver person would not even know where to start. But, here we are tackling each thing as it comes up. And we do it all day every day all day long! And you want me to worry about my mindset? Ha!

In Philippians 4:6, Paul tells the readers be anxious for nothing. Sounds good. Sounds easy. Obvoiusly Paul wasn't a caregiver. But he was sitting in a prison cell for preaching the gospel. He must have known something about anxiety! 

Paul goes on to tell the Philippian church to bring everything to God in prayer. That's right. Just take it to God and talk about it with Him. He is always ready to listen. Notice that Paul didn't say that everyone except caregivers could bring their concerns, anxieties, hopes, and fears to God. He just said to bring them.

But there's this one little catch that comes next. He says to bring them - with thanksgiving? Seriously? Doesn't Paul have a clue as to what is going on in our crazy day-to-day struggles? Doesn't he know how long our lists of anxieties is? He must not have.

If we want to get the right (or just a better) mindset, thanksgiving is the way to do it. There is always something to be thankful for. But, there are some days we have to look a little harder, go back a little further, and reach a little deeper to find it. I may add this - that the harder you have to look to find something to be thankful for - the deeper work it does in your heart. Just taking time to reflect (even if you have to go back BC [before caregiving]), the more change it can bring to your attidude. 

Today, I will purposefully find something to be thankful for. It may be small. It may be way in the past, or it might be recent. But I will choose an attitude of gratitude as I bring my concerns to God. I'm glad Paul didn't just tell us to be thankful. He gave us a formula! Pray. Bring it all to Him. Then, be thankful. That's a powerful combination I want to walk out today! Will you join me?

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I've been asked about donations to the ministry. Firstly, I do more than just this blog. I have written 15 books and they are for sale on Amazon. Many of those have been translated into Urdu and distributed to believers across Pakistan and India.

I also do a morning devotion (weekdays on FB). And do a zoom Bible study on Thursday nights.

 There's a lot going on! 

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Affirmations for Caregivers

I wrote Affirmations for Caregivers because it was what I needed to hear! This 31-day journal includes 31 scripturally based affirmations. Each day, the affirmation is followed by a short writing prompt and a verse or two to read. I also have videos on YouTube that coincide with each day's affirmation.