Seasons help us to realize we’re not alone. We might still feel alone but we can see things differently and then change our thinking, and even our responses.
We know everyone goes through “stuff” but sometimes we need to recognize it just happens to be our turn. The harder part is that we still have someone we are caring for full time, 24/7 added to the new hard stuff!
Image from @ninjason on Unsplash
Here are some ways we can deal with life when the season is a hard one:
Lessen commitments when possible so physical exhaustion isn’t an addition
Learn to serve generously and genuinely the one who is ill
If you’re married, recognize how you can divide and conquer as a team to lighten the load you both are experiencing
Embrace setbacks as each one is unique and often inevitable or unable to change
Share frustration, being careful not to act on them (lashing out in anger, saying things you’ll regret, yelling, etc.)
Share your disappointment and discouragement but don’t make it a broken record. Being authentic and real is important but some (most) people won’t want to listen too long.
Express your fears and ask for help processing them
Learn to be diplomatic not demanding. You know which is better received
Be cooperative in strength
Be willing to accept help
Always include God. Pray. Listen. Wait. He is the biggest reason we are not alone
No doubt there is so much more we could add, but this is a good start for each of us to consider and then respond. Most of these points take practice. When we have a loved one for whom we’ll care for a lifetime...we’ll have plenty of time to practice.
Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini share their newest book: Love All-Ways: Embracing Marriage Together on the Special Needs Journey (order at www.cindiferrini.com). They are authors, speakers, and bloggers for several blogging sites on marriage, family and special needs. They spoke nationally for FamilyLife Weekend To Remember Marriage Get-a-Ways for 20 years, authored *Unexpected Journey – When Special Needs Change our Course, and have been interviewed on Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, Janet Parshall at “In the Market”, and various other radio and television venues. Connect with them at: www.cindiferrini.com
and via social media at:
www.facebook.com/cindi.ferrini
