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I have been both the patient needing caregiving, as well as the caregiver for a loved one, and can appreciate the need for encouragement for caregivers. It’s a difficult role to fill, and often a tireless, thankless role. I recently had the opportunity to talk about caregiving with Sarah Forgrave, author of Prayers of Hope for Caregivers, on an episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson: Hope and Help for How To Avoid Caregiver Burnout.
Today I have invited Sarah to share here from her experience as a caregiver. She understands the need for encouragement for caregivers and offers hope for the weary in her post below.
There’s a Book Giveaway so be sure to read to the end!
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10 Scriptures of Encouragement for Caregivers
By Sarah Forgrave
Caregiving is an immense burden to carry. You’re expected to meet someone else’s needs, all while keeping normal life afloat. You feel weary, lonely, hopeless, and frazzled. Perhaps you wonder if anyone notices you as more attention is given to the person under your care.
My friend, I want to encourage you today that you are seen. As I’ve filled caregiving roles for family members—first for my sister during her heart transplant and then for my son during a medical emergency—I’ve found great comfort in the Bible.
When the road seems endless, God provides what we need for today. When we feel abandoned, His Word reminds us we’re not alone. When we face hard decisions, He offers wisdom and peace. When we’re at the end of our rope, He soothes us with comfort and fills us with strength.
If you’re facing one of the following scenarios in your caregiving journey, I pray you’re encouraged by these Scriptures. You are not alone. You’re seen and loved.
10 Scriptures of Encouragement for Caregivers
1. When There’s No End in Sight
Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. – Proverbs 30:8b (NIV)
2. When You Feel Far from God
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. – Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
3. When You Have to Cause Pain
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. – Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
4. When You Need Someone to Comfort You
I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies… The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer. – Psalm 6:6-7, 9 (NLT)
5. When You Want a Moment to Yourself
Yet the news about [Jesus] spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. – Luke 5:15-16 (NIV)
6. When Your Care Recipient Doesn’t Act Like Himself
Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. – I Corinthians 13:4-7 (AMP)
7. When Your Care Recipient Is in Pain
Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you all. – II Thessalonians 3:16 (AMP)
8. When You’re Needed Somewhere Else
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. – Psalm 121:1-4 (NIV)
9. When You’re Too Busy to Take Care of Yourself
You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. – Philippians 4:19 (MSG)
10. When You’ve Lost Your Identity
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. – Psalm 139:1-5 (NLT)
Take comfort in the truth that God knows your every need as a caregiver and is always there for you amid your toughest trials.
About Sarah
Sarah Forgrave is an author and speaker who loves encouraging others toward a deeper walk of faith. As someone who has spent considerable time in doctors’ offices, both as a patient and caregiver, Sarah knows the challenges and triumphs a health journey can bring. Her greatest passion is connecting with God in the messes and hardships of life.
She is the author of Prayers of Hope for Caregivers: Seeking God’s Strength When Someone You Love Needs You and Prayers for Hope and Healing: Seeking God’s Strength as You Face Health Challenges, a prayer devotional for those facing health challenges. In addition to blogging about prayer, faith, and friendship on her website, she is a monthly contributor to TheChristianMommy.com and has contributed to Guideposts’ A Cup of Christmas Cheer and many other websites and anthologies. Outside of writing and speaking, Sarah is the busy mom of two preteen children and the wife of an entrepreneurial husband. When she has a moment to herself, she loves to shop the aisles at Trader Joe’s or curl up with a good book and a cup of tea.
To connect with Sarah, visit: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest
About Prayers of Hope for Caregivers
Caring for someone with health needs can be emotionally, physically, and spiritually draining. Sarah Forgrave has spent considerable time, both as someone struggling with serious medical issues and as the family member of a chronically ill patient, and she understands the many challenges you face in your caregiving role.
Sarah wants to share what she discovered with you—peace through prayer, solace in Scripture, and unending hope from a Heavenly Father who never stops loving you.
Each heartfelt prayer and devotion is intended to help you navigate the complex set of emotions that come with caregiving. Read it front to back or go directly to the devotion addressing how you feel at any given moment…when you need it most.
Sarah is also offering free wallpaper downloads with an encouraging word from scripture (Philippians 4:13.) Visit her Prayers of Hope for Caregivers book page to download.
Book Giveaway!
God’s word will meet us right where we are. He knows our every need. After reading through the ten scriptures above, share with us in the comment section one scripture that is ministering to you now in the midst of a trial and you’ll be entered into the book giveaway for one copy of Sarah’s book, Prayers of Hope for Caregivers. You could also share this blog post on Facebook or Twitter then comment here to tell us where you shared it and you’ll also be entered into the drawing. The winner will be selected at random and announced next Monday, July 15, 2019, here on this post. Continental United States only.
Additional Resources for Caregivers
Prayers of Hope for Caregivers: Seeking God’s Strength When Someone You Love Needs You by Sarah Forgrave
Prayers for Hope and Healing: Seeking God’s Strength as You Face Health Challenges by Sarah Forgrave
5 Tips for Having a Servant Heart
How To Support Someone with Cancer
Ask Dr B: Lessons From a Dementia Caregiver -Part 1 (Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis)
Ask Dr B: Lessons From a Dementia Caregiver (Part 2)
Ask DrB: Lessons From a Dementia Caregiver-Part 3 Support Groups
Ask DrB: Lessons From a Dementia Caregiver-Part 4 Respite Care
Ask DrB: Lessons From a Dementia Caregiver-Part 5 The Power of Redirection
Practical Grace – How to Not Be a Friend to Someone With Cancer (Part 1)
Practical Grace: What Not To Say to Someone with Cancer (Part 2)
Practical Grace: How To Be a Friend to Someone with Cancer (Part 3)
Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award.
Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award.
When You Need Someone to Comfort You
I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies… The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer. – Psalm 6:6-7, 9 (NLT).
Will pray all the verses, especially this one daily. I am caring for my 43 year old Autistic son with God’s help, but it gets very overwhelming. My husband of 43 years passed away in 2013. Every day is a challenge.
I was a caregiver of my abuser -my Mom and many of the lessons and blessings I gained through it still resonate today. The verse – Psalm 139:1-5 speaks to me as it confirms I can be content where I am because my identity is in Christ, not in what or who anyone else says I am. Life does not change and become smooth because we know Christ. .. if anything it seems to get more challenging, but I can remain calm and conquering as long as I remain centered in His Word.
This is a wonderful source of encouragement! Thank you, Sarah and Michelle!
This has been my verse for the last few months. My husband is about to have his secend surgery in 4 months plus I have chronic health issues. I’m most certainly counting on the Lord to sustain me. Psalm 130:5 I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.
Thanks for the giveaway! What a generous offering for people who truly need it the most. I love your book and it has been such a tremendous support to me. Currently I am a caregiver to two terminally ill parents, my mother has stage IV cancer and my father Alzheimer’s. I also have a three year old so i have my hands full. I have such a close relationship with both my parents but as my mothers condition has progressed she has become very harsh only with me. I know we hurt the ones we are closest to and she has every right to be angry at the world however I am hurt that I seem to get the brunt of that anger. My mother is a wonderful Christian woman and is driven by her faith except in this one area. The last week has been especially difficult to the point of us not speaking for the last two days. Therefore for me, #6 and the scripture I Corinthians 13:4-7 speaks to me today and I am so grateful for that. I needed to come across this message today. Thank you for blessing me. I’m sincerely grateful.
I loved this post about Sarah Forgave’s book, Prayers of Hope for the Caregiver. What a blessing! I’m a fulltime caregiver for my dad who has Kidney cancer abs severe Alzheimer’s. It’s been a blessing but also a hardship. I could relate with the 9th prayer about not having time to care for myself and the verse she shares, “You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. – Philippians 4:19 (MSG)” Amen and amen!! Thank you Sarah for writing the book so many people need and will be blessed by. Thank you Dr Michelle for sharing this.
I shared on Twitter and Pinterest!
#10 — no matter how anyone else may see me or look at me, God knows me because He created me!!!
The verse from Psalm 6 is especially comforting me today, in my own tears. A dear friend for whom I was a caregiver just stepped into eternity this weekend. Even as I am now the one needing care myself, because of a chronic illness diagnosis, I know that the Lord has seen all of my tears. He is so very faithful. Thank you for this timely post.
This list is like a prescription for the weary care-giving soul. Thank you for sharing this life-giving Truth!
Thank you Michelle and Sarah for posting this. So good! I feel like I am heading down the caregiver road with aging parents. So anxious about this stage of life. These verses are excellent!
Tweeted & pinned.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Thank you for sharing this. Being a caregiver is hard, in so many ways. I loved the reminders you offered, especially the Psalm 121 verse.
I pinned and tweeted this 🙂
These scriptures are so good and so helpful. I am not officially a caregiver but in a way I am, I am the wife of a precious husband who needs a bit more care than most right now. Just this week for a couple of days he was experiencing some pain and I didn’t know why. The truth finally came forth after a day of being uncomfortable and it was a kidney stone and he passed it but the 7th scripture, 2 Thessalonians 3:16 was much needed as I prayed and sought wisdom as to what to do for him. Father did give me peace and some wisdom but it was the Lord who took care of him passing that stone. Thank you for these helps, these scriptures, to encourage and bless.