Joy for the Caregiver: Ask God - Nanette M. Holloway

The joy of the Lord is our strength. As Christians we grow under stressful circumstances. Our faith in God stretches beyond current boundaries and expands. Our weak human frame and desperate need for help revealed. Times of testing drive us to our knees in prayer to seek God’s divine help.

During my caregiving season with my dad, I was frustrated, and overwhelmed. But God drew me into a greater joy.

Certainly, I had read all the scriptures on joy and thought I understood. But God wanted to reveal more. He desired for me to experience His joy on a deeper level.

First came the dreaded diagnosis that Dad had cancer of the esophagus. Big questions clouded my mind. How can I take care of Dad and my two boys at the same time? Am I ready for this? Fear rose up in my heart. What was Dad’s prognosis?

Then Came the Old Familiar Cloud of Depression

At that time the joy of the Lord as my strength and the fruit of the spirit were far from my mind. But God slowly worked His joy into my feeble, powerless spirit.

Thankfully God’s joy is greater than feelings of happiness when something good happens. Joy is a spiritual gift provided to the believer. Joy is not something worked up in the mind, but a gift: One of the fruits of the spirt: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 KJ21

God manifested His joy to me during the long journey of caregiving in several ways.

The following is an excerpt from my memoir, Before You Depart: God’s Touch before Eternity.

God’s Joy

During my quiet times with God, His presence met me in a new way. I had never been a morning person. Now I woke up early, as if God was urging me to enter into His presence through reading my Bible and saying my prayers.

God infused my devotions, thrilling my heart for an hour. Almost tangible waves of warmth and peace washed over me. All cares and worries ceased to matter. The Holy Spirit gave me a new joy, which is one of the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22 NIV, “But the fruit of the Holy Spirit, (The work which His Presence within accomplishes), is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

Nehemiah 8:10 reminded me, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Joy is a spiritual state of happiness and well-being, independent of surrounding circumstances.

The joy God gave me

was a deep happiness inside my heart and soul that no one could take. The emotion was new for me. I had struggled with depression most of my adult life. This joy was like a protection for my heart and emotions that overpowered the threat of depression. In the mornings I was filled with valiant purpose. God offered me His joy for the day ahead. I eagerly received His divine provision.

But by the end of the day I was exhausted. All strength and joy depleted. Home schooling the boys and caregiving for my dad consumed the long days.

In the evenings, the boys and I read aloud from Rainbow Garden by Patricia St John. The story was about a little girl who had to live with a family she did not know. The family introduced her to Christian values, scripture and prayer. The central theme of the story focused on the joy of the Lord. The scripture used was: “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11 AMP).

Prayer for Today

Father, as caregivers approach their day, fill hearts with unspeakable joy. The journey ahead appears daunting. Give each one strength, tenacity, and patience. Help them to cast each care upon you. Manifest your love and kindness to both the caregiver and the loved one. Let them know that you will never, never leave them or forsake them in time of need. Amen

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