“Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load” (Galatians 6:2-5)
Have you ever felt as if you should wear a superhero suit? You’re “disabled,” yet your services are in high demand. You pray for as many needs of your friends as you can remember. You keep a brave face for your spouse, who’s afraid of losing his/her job. You’re caring for your parent who has had a stroke, because you’re the only child or because other, healthy relatives are “too busy” to do their part.
You worry about your children. Will they be able to keep their jobs, their homes, in this economy? And the church asks you to visit shut-ins, when you often feel as if you’re a shut-in yourself! You feel overwhelmed, to put it mildly! How can you bear all of these burdens?
The answer is, you can’t! You are just one person. Go to the nearest phone booth and take off that cape! It’s right for us to pray for the needs of our friends and loved ones, but we can’t fix their problems.
I ruined my health trying to help or encourage everyone else while missing meals and neglecting housework. We do need to greet our spouse cheerfully when he/she comes home from work and listen to an account of their day; however, we aren’t answering machines for everybody else‘s troubles! We also have the need to talk to our spouse, as well as friends and clergy, about what is happening with our lives – our chronic illness and the other parts of our lives (hobbies, exercise program, etc.).
If you are feeling depressed, by all means drop your superhero status and reach out for help. You have many resources: your pastor or clergy, other friends who have a chronic illness, neighbors, and relatives. Face-to-face contact is always better than an e-mail or social network like Facebook. So don’t be a superhero and try to handle everything on your own. You will find that the people around you want to help you!
Prayer: Dear God, Please nudge me whenever I am too involved with the problems of others and am not taking care of myself. Help me to remember that I am not “super human.” That role belong to You and You alone. Thank You, Amen.
About the Author:
Melissa Jones Callis has fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and bipolar (manic/depressive) disorder. She has hung up her Super-Lady uniform and lives with her amazingly supportive husband, Ron, “Bella” her Pomeranian, and “Brit-Brit” her Chihuahua.
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Do you tend to get wrapped up in worrying about everyone else’s problems? How have you learned to let God be God in their lives?
Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 