As caregivers, we wear many “hats” throughout the day. We find ourselves stepping into roles of doctor, nurse, taxi cab driver, housekeeper, concierge, cook, comforter and consoler. Some days we (might) feel like we have it together, but if we are honest, probably more often than not, we feel like things are collapsing all around us. Feeling overwhelmed happens often in the life of a caregiver.
The list of to-do’s continues to grow out of control, meanwhile our emotional grip weakens and our spirit slowly begins to suffocate. Soon, we find ourselves stressed out, maxed out, and completely overwhelmed before our bodies even make it out of bed!
Does this sound intimately familiar to your heart?
Feeling Overwhelmed Can Be Debilitating
Feeling overwhelmed can be debilitating and isolating. The feelings of overwhelm are infectious! They ooze into all areas of our life and onto those that we love and care for. Little by little, it eats away at all that we hold dear and sometimes it hits us all at once, smack dab in the face…lights out!
Sadly, we are often unaware that it’s happening to us too! But, the thought of having ONE more thing to do…just might kill us.
Can I get an AMEN?
Just ONE more…
Doctor visit
Obligation at school
Medication to add
Treatment side effect
Church gathering
Field trip
Mom request
The list goes on (and on…)
Have you ever found yourself feeling like ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?!
If we are not vigilant to proactively battle feeling overwhelmed, it will fester, and the effects will compound and pick up speed in our lives like an out of control snowball barreling down a hill.
Before we know it, we feel buried alive in our own lives.
As life seems to spiral out of control, the Devil is sinisterly sitting on the sidelines, exuberantly waving his pendant, cheering on overwhelm for the victory!
God Saw This Coming
But, this is no surprise to our heavenly Father. He knew this would happen to us in our fallen, dark world. He gave us His Word to breathe life back into our pain, heartache, frustrations and despair.
Scripture is oxygen for our souls.
Staying anchored to the Word connects us intimately to the Heart of God. By learning to pray scripture over our circumstances, especially when we are feeling overwhelmed, we are giving God the key to our hearts and our minds.
Scripture will speak truth into the broken places, illuminate the darkness, and give control back to THE ONE we can entrust everything to!
If your heart is feeling overwhelmed and your spirit is struggling to breathe, here are 15 scriptures for your caregiver soul. Allow these words to wash over you and be salve for your wounds.
My prayer is for these verses to take root in your heart and for you to be reminded how important it is to pedal in tandem with Christ on this caregiving journey!
15 Scriptures to Fight Soul Crushing Caregiver Overwhelm
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (NIV)
Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (NIV)
Isaiah 40: 30-31
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”(NIV)
Psalm 139: 23-24
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is an offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (NIV)
John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (NIV)
Deuteronomy 31:8
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (NIV)
Psalm 34:17
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” (NIV)
2 Corinthians 4: 8-9
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (NIV)
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
James 1: 3-5
“because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (NIV)
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (NIV)
Exodus 33:14
“ The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”(NIV)
Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (NIV)
My Prayer for You When You Are Feeling Overwhelmed
I pray that these verses have encouraged your weary, overwhelmed caregiving spirit today. Remember, the Lord’s Word will never return void. These words are promises to you that will never fail.
Cling to these scriptures when life gets HARD and when you need refreshment, rejuvenation, and restoration for your spirit. The Lord is faithful and there is an open invitation to go to Him for all things, during all times.
He sees you strung out, frazzled, and shaken. Go to Him today as a first priority, not as a last resort!
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