What If Caring for Everyone Is Wearing Me Out?

Caring for people can wear a person out, especially when their needs don't stop after the caregiver's strength is gone.

Raising kids. Caring for your spouse, caring for special needs children or even helping your elderly family members etc... is difficult. Even in that kind of exhaustion, Jesus is still the source of strength.

That is a lot for one person to manage.

A lot of us can relate to this type of tiredness and I want to offer some words of encouragement. Being overwhelmed doesn't mean you stopped loving the people who depend on you.

The responsibilities are heavy and your body does have a limit.

Isaiah 46 begins with a picture of two idols named Bel and Nebo. These were gods worshipped in Babylon, but they couldn't move on their own.

People loaded them onto animals, and Scripture says they became a burden to the weary animals carrying them.

Those idols couldn't rescue anybody let alone carry themselves.

Then our living God speaks. He reminds Israel that He's carried them from the womb and he'll still carry them even when their hair turns gray.

When you spend every day caring for somebody else, almost everything can start to feel like another demand. There is always something to remember, followed by another need you can't ignore.

Faith can begin to feel that way too. You may think you need to pray harder so nothing falls apart, or that a stronger Christian would handle all of this without getting tired.

This slips you into condemnation.

God doesn't depend on your strength to remain God.

He made you, so He knows your limits.

He also knows the difference between a heart that doesn't care and a person who has cared until they're worn down.

In fact I would argue that he allows that so that you can recognize that you cannot do what only He can do.

This verse isn't telling you that every responsibility will disappear. God is telling you who He is while the responsibility is still there.

People may truly depend on your daily care, but they don't need you to pretend you have no limits. You can tell the truth about how you feel in your day to day interactions with them.

We always have to remember that God isn't asking us to perform in order to earn our spot or place in heaven. Jesus met our deepest need at the cross before we could do anything about our sin. Our place with God doesn't depend on how much pressure we can survive.

You can come to Him tired and admit, "I need to be carried too."

So what if caring for everybody is wearing you out?

Bring that burden to God and include the parts you think sound unspiritual.

Here's how to let somebody help this week:

Write down what a normal week actually asks of you. Be as thorough and meticulous as you can be. Include the care that other people never see, then take that list to your pastor. Say, "I am wearing down," and ask for help separating real responsibility from spiritual guilt.

Practical help may come from a trusted friend or somebody who understands caregiving. Ask that person to take one specific part of the week, and if a health condition is involved, keep your doctor informed about how you're doing.

Receiving help doesn't make your love less real. It gives another person a chance to care for you too.

PRAYER

Lord, You see the people I care for.

You know how tired I am.

I've been afraid that needing help would mean I'm failing them.

Today I am telling You the truth about what this load is doing to me.

Remind me that You made me and that You are still carrying me.

Give me the courage to speak plainly with my pastor about where I'm wearing down.

Lead me to practical support, and help me receive it without feeling ashamed.

Thank You that Jesus carried what I could never carry for myself.

Teach me to care for the people in front of me while being honest about my limits.

In Jesus' wonderful name we pray. Amen.