In previous posts I’ve focused mainly on encouraging those who have been diagnosed. But recently it has come to my attention (and remembrance) that family members, especially those who provide the care, need support and encouragement too.

I was talking to a family member of one who was diagnosed with cancer, and upon listening to them, I almost wanted to cry. I could feel all the emotions they were experiencing in a short 5 minute conversation – nervousness, concern which easily transformed into worry, weariness, fear, bewilderment (not knowing what to do to “fix” things).
Family members and care-takers try to “be strong” for the one diagnosed, but their strength sometimes is like a water bucket, with a whole in the bottom. Without it being plugged and filled, the bucket will eventually run dry.

The spiritual: Understand that God never intended for us to live independent of Him or rely on our own strength. Besides, its impossible: He is infinite; we are finite. Just like the loved one who is diagnosed, care takers need to draw on God’s strength also. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Paul talks about having a “thorn in his flesh”. We are not told what the “thorn” was, but we know that he pleaded (or begged) three times for the Lord to remove it. But the Lord’s response was verse 9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul then resolved to boast about his weakness so that Christ’s power would “rest” on him. The word “rest” comes from a word that means to “raise a tent over and live in, to dwell”.
This requires a step of faith. But we know that God is faithful to His word…and that’s where we rest…in the character of an almighty, faithful, loving God.

The practical: Like those who are diagnosed, care takers need to shrink their vision down from the enormous challenges of the next six months, to the tasks that need to be done the next hour. Also, schedule some “rest” time. Time to get away, to refresh, time for yourself…time to “refill your bucket”.

I’m a Star Trek fan; been one since I was a kid. So when I needed a break during my wife’s chemo, I would sit down, drink an ice cold glass of strawberry Kool-Aid and watch Star Trek re-runs. It was my way to recharge my “warp engines”.

How can you recharge your “warp engines” today?