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In this audio talk, Mike Emlet examines caregiving and living with someone with a chronic physical or mental illness. The framework is applied to the specific scenario of care to someone who has survived a stroke. How can a physical problem seem to setback spiritual progress so much? What expectations should family members and caregivers have? Emlet begins with a biblical view of all people: 1.) They are created as image bearers (illness doesn’t mean a human being becomes less of an image-bearer); 2.) Everyone has a body and spirit that exist in a psychosomatic unity; and 3.) Be aware of your temptations. Emlet gives five practical strategies for helping caregivers: 1.) Be still (the practice of Sabbath rest); 2.) Attend to your own health; 3.) Plow your own heart (when you can’t change your circumstances, you are challenged to change yourself); 4.) Live as an instrument of redemption in the life of your loved one (our expectations of another will vary based on the profile of strengths and weaknesses they have – faith-filled obedience doesn’t occur in a vacuum); and 5.) Live in community (interdependence is the norm in scripture).
Key Scriptures: Genesis 1; Psalm 8; Romans 8:16-25; Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:14
