The social isolation a caregiver experiences can produce anger and resentment if the your heart is not carefully guarded. I wrote earlier about the enemy's numerous attacks. Here's another example. He sows doubt that goes something like this:
"Where are all of your friends? They are not really friends, are they? If they loved you, they would not be so distant, would they? Remember all of that love, ministry, concern, and praying for them. Nothing good came of any of that. They could not care less what you are going through. Just admit it.....they are not your friends."
That's evil stuff, eh? Indeed, it is. Due to the prolonged nature of caregiving, loneliness can produce a variety of emotions, fears, and suspicions. It is true that during difficult times friends who love, bless, and encourage will rise above some of your acquaintances who really do care, but are stuck in the struggles of their own lives. So, the enemy's attack is to split your friends, to pit one against another, to stir suspicion and doubt about everyone you know and to paint them all as uncaring users.
Not everyone will bless you with selfless sacrifice, but don't yield to the lie that no one cares. If your satisfaction is not in the Lord, the perception that friends are scarce and distant will wound badly, especially if you begin to imagine falsely that many of your associations are not what you thought they were. The Lord is near. He cares. "Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." I Peter 5:7
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