Strength and Courage for Caregivers by Terry Hargrave

Author:Terry Hargrave
Format: epub
Tags: Array
Publisher: Zondervan

Evening Reflection Keeping Yourself Healthy

Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise,

making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

EPHESIANS 5:15 – 17

In actuality, it was such a foolish thing. George Washington was in his sixties, retired from the presidency — a vital and active man. He had insisted, as was his custom, to ride out in the cold, damp weather to check on the work at his plantation. Though the weather turned even bitterer, he continued his rounds until later in the evening.

After arriving back at his Mount Vernon home later than usual, he refused to keep his guests waiting any longer for dinner and entertained and ate in his damp clothes. The next morning, though he felt under the weather with a sore throat, he complicated his folly by deciding to again make rounds through the plantation in the frigid cold. Within the week, the “Father of Our Country” was dead — primarily out of his own foolishness and unwillingness to take care of himself.

What was the critical juncture in Washington’s decision-making process? It was the point when he convinced himself it was more important to put himself at risk than to inconvenience others.

Caregivers are notorious for these types of foolish decisions. It is as though we become so good at taking care of others and so selfless in our love that we really start to believe there’s nothing we can’t do or handle. This is especially true when it comes to our own health. We may have a cold or the flu, but we convince ourselves it’s a greater hassle to call in another family member to do the caregiving or it’s too intrusive into other people’s lives. So we press on and do the caregiving ourselves. We have an ache or pain we would never leave unaddressed for the person we care for, but we put off our own visit to the doctor because we just don’t have time to take off.

George Washington was a great man, but he did a foolish thing that resulted in his death. You may be a great and unselfish caregiver, but don’t think you aren’t capable of the same foolish behavior that can result in tragic consequences. I have seen caregivers ignore their own blood pressure or diabetes issues only to have strokes or lose limbs to amputations. I have seen caregivers put off visits to the doctor for simple skin problems that resulted in terminal cancers. And I have seen caregivers die from pneumonia because they kept going long after the time when they should have been on bed rest and antibiotics.

Eating right, sleeping well, and getting the proper encouragement are just part of caring for yourself. The most essential item is setting the proper boundaries and getting the treatment you need for yourself when you are in need. If you are somehow under the illusion that you are the

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