Call On God For Guidance
"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." -- 1 Corinthians 1:10
It was as typical as it was sad. Another family disagreeing over how to care for an elderly parent. My friend, an in-law with no vote, was exhausted as she tried to help with daily care for someone she loves. Everyone in the family wants what is best but sometimes what's best depends on whether you're thinking with your mind or your heart. And, really, who can separate the two when love is involved?
Sometimes the hardest thing to accept is the failing health of a close relative. We want to ignore it. We want to believe it's temporary and that our loved one will soon be better. We want to believe we can hold out to care for them the way our love dictates that we must. We resist hiring help because no one can care like a family member. But physical limits, jobs, children and other responsibilities get neglected as everyone focuses on the elderly relative. There is no easy answer.
Why do we resist asking God to intervene? Why do we try and work it out on our own? Why do we hold tightly to our opinions, refusing to listen to outside counsel? Why are we determined to hang on to our hurt rather than open our hearts to others who share our pain?
Maybe the first step -- after praying together -- is to talk calmly. Maybe it is listening even when our hearts cry out with pain because we don't want to hear the words. Maybe it is talking with a trusted advisor, such as a pastor, doctor or hospice worker. Surely it is continuing to pray together and alone for guidance from God.
In times of crisis, it's so important for families to draw together, using their love of Jesus and their loved one to unify their family. Don't let pain drive you apart. Instead, let God use it to draw you, together, toward Him.
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