Anyone who has ever cared for a sick person knows the sheer amount of physical strength that you need to possess to meet their needs. This doesn't include taking care of your own self and family. It is a tall order that many wouldn't change for anything in the world.



Still, the task can be exhausting even when done out of love. That doesn't even include your mental and spiritual health throughout it all. God alone is the source of unending strength and power to accomplish anything that is put before you. When you feel that you can't clean another sheet, fix another meal or run another errand, God is there to fill you with what you need to keep going.

Your Loved One with Cancer

When you find out that someone has cancer, your first impression is to see them differently. Years ago, the word “cancer” seemed to be a death sentence. Ongoing research has commuted that sentence. More and more people are living longer and fighting for their lives. Your loved one deserves the same hope and you are the one to give it to them.

The last thing that any cancer patient needs is to feel that they have one foot in the grave. It may not be your intention, but your actions can make them feel this way. Not letting them get out of bed, treating them like a child, asking about wills and other arrangements or simply looking at them with that pained face saps their hope for recovery. It's not easy to stop helping them according to your feelings, but that is where God comes to the rescue.

Let the Lord guide your thoughts, emotions and actions. See your loved one the way that God sees them. When they want to talk, you sit down and listen. And, don't listen with the audience in your head commenting on every word. Listen with your whole heart and really understand what you are being told.

Cancer patients have done their homework. They have seen the doctors for second opinions; they have looked into the treatment options; they have cried countless tears over the diagnosis and their life. The last thing that they want to hear from you is more advice. Listening and responding with your heart are the two things it is imperative that you learn to do.

While you are hurting, this situation is not about you. It is about them. Allow God to use you as He sees fit in the life of your family member or friend. Only He knows what that person truly needs and how to give it to them.

Let God Strengthen You to be a True Blessing

You want to help. You may even tell your loved one that you will be there for them. Do you actually know what that means? Are you offering support through your emotions or because you have prayed on it?

Don't misunderstand. God is love and He calls us to help and bear one another's burdens. But, helping your loved one, outside of God's planned role for you, will cause more harm than good.

Before you offer that helping hand, pray to God so that you know how He wants you to use those hands. It might not be for you to sit with them 24/7 but to be there once or twice a week and to help them in certain ways. You are probably not the only person that God wants to bring into your loved one's life at this time.

After you pray about how to help them, ask God to fill you with what you need to do the task He is setting before you. It takes a lot of courage, strength, compassion, time and love to do what you are about to do. Don't take for granted that you can do it out of your own strength, because you can't.

And, while you are asking God to strengthen you, it is okay to ask them to heal your loved one. Bear in mind, that God always hears your prayers but answers them according to His will for that person. Prayer changes your heart and mindset about the situation to attune it with God's.

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are my help in every need. I know that nothing is too hard for you. Heavenly Father, I am praying and hoping now for the complete healing and restoration of (fill-in-the-blank with the name of your loved one). Guide my heart and hands so that I may be a true comfort as their caregiver. Give me the peace and strength I need to cope in the days ahead.

Heavenly Father I look to you for guidance. Continue to grant me wisdom. Wisdom to seek you above all things.

I proclaim my complete trust in you for healing , health, strength, wisdom and protection.

Thank you for all that you are in my life and all that you will be in my life. Give me the strength to share your loving kindness with my loved one so that they may experience joy and closeness to You in the face of their diagnosis.

Knowing my oneness with you, Heavenly Father, I pray that (fill-in-the blank with your loved one's name) experience true healing.

Thank you, Lord, for sending your word and your healing power and your support during these painful times.

In the powerful Name of Jesus,

Amen

Scriptures to meditate on as a caregiver:

“I look up to the mountains—

      does my help come from there?

 2My help comes from the Lord,

      who made heaven and earth!”

-Psalm 121:1-2

Wait patiently for the Lord.

      Be brave and courageous.

      Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.­

-Psalm 27:14