Barbour Publishing - Daily Comfort for Caregivers

2009 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

ISBN: 978-1-60260-222-9

eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-62836-526-9
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition 978-1-62836-527-6

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Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the H OLY B IBLE , N EW I NTERNATIONAL V ERSION . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois 60189, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from the New Century Version of the Bible, 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked CEV are from the Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked ASV are taken from the American Standard Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked amp are taken from the Amplified Bible, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLV are taken from the Holy Bible, New Life Version, Copyright 1969, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, Christian Literature International, P.O. Box 777, Canby, OR 97013. Used by permission.

Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com

Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

Printed in the United States of America.

N obody has to tell caregivers that their job is a tough one. Youre already well aware of that.

What you might need to hear, though, are some regular reminders of Gods love for youof the vital importance of the job youre doingof the incredible blessings of caregiving in spite of the daily struggles. Thats what Daily Comfort for Caregivers is all aboutproviding encouragement to help you face your challenges with confidence, hope, even joy.

These 365 devotional readings will turn your thoughts to the unchanging wisdom of the Bible and its heavenly Authorwho longs to write a success story for you. Youll find insights into the emotions you face and practical ideas for succeeding in this vital duty. Youll be refreshed by the real-life triumphs of caregivers and gently challenged at times to make beneficial changes to your own attitudes and actions.

Caregiving is a huge responsibilityand also a bit of a misnomer. With your heavenly Father by your side, you have access to all His wisdom, resources, and strength, making you as much of a receiver as a giver. We hope this book is an encouragement along the way!

T HE P UBLISHERS

D AY 1

And it came to pass
F OUND M ORE T HAN 400 T IMES IN THE K ING J AMES B IBLE

W hat tremendous words of encouragement! Headaches, toothaches, car troubles, clogged drains, personality conflictsall come only to pass. We can focus on the Lord, and He will bring us through.

There are times in caregiving when we think we cant bear one more day, one more hour, one more minute. But lets not get downfor no matter how bad things seem at the time, they are temporary. The situation will pass; life will go on. Tomorrow will be another day with new victories and challengesbut always also with new grace.

Whats really important is how we handle the opportunities before us today, whether we let our trials defeat us or look for the hand of God in everything. Hes giving us more chances to glorify Him in the daily events of our lives.

Every day, week, and year are made up of things that come to passso even if we fail, we neednt be disheartened. Other opportunitiesbetter dayswill come. Lets look past those hard things today and glorify the name of the Lord.

Lord Jesus, how awesome it is that You send or allow these little things that will pass. May we recognize Your hand in them today and praise You for them.

D AY 2

He who cherishes understanding prospers.
P ROVERBS 19:8 NIV

C aregivers often suppress emotions. One day leads to another in a confusing state of numb disorientation. Preoccupied with the continuous caring for someone else, we detach our minds from what we feel in our hearts.

Though strong feelings are a natural part of the caregiving experience, our situations produce feelings that are hard to understand. Why am I depressed? Is it normal to be angry? Why do I feel sad? What is this fear Im feeling?

Naming those emotions is the first step to understanding what were going through. Putting those feelingsdepression, sadness, anger, and fearinto words can make them less intense. Once we understand what we are experiencing, we can find healthy ways to express these emotions.

God understands our feelings. He created our emotions as well as our intellectand He promises that with understanding we will prosper.

Prosper means to grow and to thrive. What will God prosper? Hope, patience, peace, and even joy in our lives, to help restore our emotional balance. God will make us thrive, not just survive, as caregivers, when we recognize our feelings as a normal part of the caregiving experience.

Dear Lord, help me to understand why I feel the way I do and to accept all the emotions that swell up inside my heart. I know You will help me find healthy ways to express my feelings and create a balance within me with Your hope, Your patience, and Your joy.

D AY 3

The Sovereign L ORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught