Caregiving is a Wilderness Experience

Adulthood is a series of experiences to help us recognize our true existence as spiritual beings and to provide spiritual growth in anticipation of our eternal destiny.

When God gives us something to do, he also allows us to enter a time of temptation and testing. Even his own son, Jesus, went through this time of temptation and testing.

Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the Devil. For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. Then the Devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread." But Jesus told him, "No! The scriptures say, '‘People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.'" ’

Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, '‘He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.'" ’ Jesus responded, "“The Scriptures also say, '‘Do not test the Lord your God.'" ’

Next the Devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. "I will give it all to you," he said, "if you will only kneel down and worship me." "Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say, '‘You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.'" ’ Then the Devil went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus. (Matthew 4:1-11 NLT)

When God gives you something to do, you will have these same three temptations.

• The temptation to rely on your own abilities and strength rather than trusting in God to provide.
  
• The temptation to try to take control of the timetable for what God has given you to do rather than surrendering to God'’s timing.
  
• The temptation to choose other objects of worship, rather than worshipping God and him alone, or in some cases to cease worshipping God.

The struggle with these temptations is the fuel for spiritual growth. Family Caregiving is definitely one of these times. God has given you something very important to do --– something likely that only you can do. Recognize that it is another step in your spiritual journey, and call on the strength of Jesus to help you:

• Rely on God'’s provision for all your needs.
• Surrender to God'’s timing in all things.
• Worship God, serving him only.
  

As your church family, we'’re here to help you in every way we can, but most especially to support you in the spiritual testing you'’ll encounter.