You Can Manage Worry Biblically

When You’re a Caregiver, You Can Manage Worry Biblically

Part of learning to care for a person with a chronic illness is managing worry.

Within the last five years, my wife was diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoid and Melanoma cancers. The oncologist informed us if the Melanoma cancer doesn’t kill her the neuroendocrine carcinoid would. The Melanoma cancer killed her in April 2018.

My Story

While I won’t get into her sickness or her chronic illness’s medical details, I will share how I dealt with the challenges. While she was under a medical team of physician’s care and treatment, my focus was on the spiritual, not the therapeutic. 

That doesn’t mean I ignored the medical side for treatment. I did not. I made sure she had the best treatment available and that she followed the doctor’s recommendations.

I am a Christian. My Christian faith is foundational for managing the emotional challenges. I find comfort from reading the Holy Bible, applying the Bible verses to daily life, and praying using the Bible verse(s) as my prayer.

This same comfort is available to you. God, through His Word, the Bible, provides Hope for the Caregiver.”

Bible Verse

Matthew 6:34 (KJV), “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

What the Verse Means

What the verse is saying in today’s English is give your entire attention to God. Look for what He is doing in your life today. With the focus in the here and now you cannot get worried or worked up over what may or may not happen tomorrow. While you may influence tomorrow, you cannot control or even guarantee you will have a tomorrow.

There’s a reason why we shouldn’t get worked up.

The reason? God will help you. And with God’s help, I dealt with whatever came our way, no matter how challenging or difficult the trials were. I can testify God walked with my wife and me through every step of this difficult, heartbreaking process.

Pray Using Scripture

  • Father in Heaven, help me to focus on today. Help me see you and your activity in my life.
  • Lord Jesus, help me not to get too worried or concerned about what may or may not happen tomorrow.
  • Almighty Father, teach me how to trust in you and let you take control of my life.
  • I thank you for the promise that you will help me deal with whatever hard things are in my future where I will be as prepared as possible when the time comes.
  • I ask for the grace to handle today.
  • I trust tomorrow to the Lord.

Responding to God’s Hope

  1. Name at least one way God is taking care of you and your loved one today? An example may be health insurance or hospice care. Thank God for caring for you today.
  2. Are you praying and reading the Bible? Part of taking each day as it comes is spending time with God through Bible reading and prayer. I suggest you start by reading a Proverb a day from the Book of Proverbs in your Bible. The Book of Proverbs has thirty-one chapters. That gives you a Proverb for each day of the month. I suggest you begin by reading the chapter of the Book of Proverbs whose chapter number matches the day of the month. As I am writing this, it is the tenth of the month. You would read chapter ten.
  3. Pray for the one your caring for and yourself that you would have a good day. Pray you would be up to any challenges you face today. Pray for how you can make your loved one’s day comfortable.

TWEETABLE

When You’re a Caregiver You Can Manage Worry Biblically https://ctt.ac/y_Fa5+ #caregiver #hope @jimmiekepler [CLICK TO TWEET]


Photo Source: Pixabay

This article is from the forthcoming book, “Hope for the Caregiver: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional Approach.”

 

It’s Okay to Cry

When You’re a Caregiver, It’s Okay to Cry

Part of accepting the hope for the caregiver available through Jesus Christ realizes that tears are normal. Daily living with a chronic illness or caring for a loved one with a persistent disease will bring tears. It’s okay to cry. Even Jesus wept (John 11:35 KJV, “Jesus wept.”).

My Story

“I removed the tumor. The tests also showed it has spread to her lymph nodes. I removed thirty-four of them,” said the surgical oncologist. 

I heard what she said. My eyes filled with tears. I knew the initial diagnosis of Stage 3 Melanoma Cancer was terrible. I knew that Melanoma spreading to the lymph nodes was very bad. I started sobbing.

The surgeon then said the words I needed to hear. She said, “It’s okay to cry.”

With her four simple words, I stopped pretending to be a macho man, let down my guard, and let the emotions of the moment take over. That day wouldn’t be the last time I would shed tears. I would cry a number more times over the next thirty-four months. Even now at nine months since my wife’s passing, the tears return from time to time.

Remember, it’s okay to cry. 

The Bible tells of Jesus crying when Lazarus died. The Heavenly Father cares about our tears. Today’s Bible verse tells what God’s word says about crying.

Bible Verse

Psalm 56:8-9 (KJV), “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.”

What the Verses Mean

Why would God keep tears in a bottle? The idea behind the keeping of “tears in a bottle” is a remembrance. King David, the writer of these verses, is expressing a deep trust in God. He knows that God remembers his sorrow. He knows God remembers his tears. King David also is sure the God will never forget about him. David is confident that God is on his side.

Pray Using Scripture

  • Heavenly Father, thank you for making us where we can cry and experience the emotional release of the resulting tears. Teach me to understand and accept that my tears help me identify and help me deal with my feelings.
  • Lord Jesus, thank you for letting me know crying is okay.
  • Almighty God, it is comforting to know that you notice and keep track of my tears.
  • I turn the sorrow concerning the chronic illness over to Yahweh-Rapha (God that heals).
  • I pray that my family and I would feel the freedom to cry out to you God and let the tears flow when the release is needed.
  • I pray that my family and friends would be supportive, loving, and understanding during the times the tears flow.
  • I pray I would hold on to God during these times without questioning and accept God’s comfort.
  • Help me to have the confidence of King David, the author of these verses, and say with him – for God is for me.

Responding to God’s Hope

  1. Have you given yourself and your loved ones permission to cry? Remember it’s okay to weep. Share with your family members that there are times when you cry. Your authorization will permit them to shed tears. There are times when they need to cry.
  2. Remember that God will not forget about your loved one. He does not forget about you or the other caregivers. Thank God for remembering you and not forgetting you.
  3. What is the first concern you think of when it comes to caring for your loved one? Tell God what that your worry is and remember, it’s okay to cry. Tears are normal.

TWEETABLE

When You’re a Caregiver, It’s Okay to Cry https://ctt.ac/bIQf4+ #caregiver #hope @jimmiekepler


Photo Source: Pixabay

This article is from the forthcoming book, “Hope for the Caregiver: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional Approach.”

Scrivener 3 – The Binder

Using the Binder

The binder is the main navigation tool in Scrivener. 

Uses of the Binder

1. Access Your Project
  • You use it to access the different parts of your project.
2. Create Sections
  • You use it to create new sections.
3. Arrange Sections

You use it to arrange sections.

Note: Scrivener refers to each section in the binder as a “document”, but each document can contain as much or as little text as you like.

The Basics are Simple

  • Click on a document to open it in the editor.
  • Click on the triangle next to a folder or group to show or hide (expand or collapse) its contents (subdocuments).
  • Drag and drop documents to rearrange them.
  • Double-click on a document to rename it.
  • Click “+” in the footer at the bottom of the binder (or in the toolbar) to create a new document. (Cmd-N)
  • To create a new folder, click the button containing a folder with a “+” inside it at the bottom of the binder, or click the down arrow next to the “+” button in the toolbar. (Opt-Cmd-N)
  • You can also add new documents from the Project menu or by hitting enter when a document is selected and the binder has the focus.
  • Import files into Scrivener by dragging them from the Finder into Scrivener’s binder. Alternatively, use File > Import > Files… in Scrivener’s main menu at the top of the screen.

 

3 Special Folders in the Binder

Along with anything else you add, the binder always contains 3 special folders that cannot be removed:

1. Draft Folder
  • The Draft folder. Anything you want to be part of your finished manuscript should be placed inside this folder. Its contents will be compiled into a single document when you export or print using File > Compile… Because the Draft folder is used for building your manuscript, it is unique in that it can only hold text files—you cannot import image or research files into this folder.
  • Tip: If you want an image in the text of your manuscript, place the cursor inside a text document in the Draft and use Insert > Image From File… to insert the image into the text.
  • Note: All folders and files can be renamed, even the special folders. In some of Scrivener’s project templates, the Draft folder has a different name, such as “Manuscript”.
2. Research Folder
  • The Research folder can hold text or media files (images, PDF files, video files and more), and is the default storage location for research materials not intended for inclusion in the final manuscript. You don’t have to put all your research files into the Research folder, though—you can create other folders for your support materials anywhere you want.
3. Trash Folder

Whenever you delete a document, it ends up in the Trash folder. Documents are not deleted forever until you select Empty Trash… from the Project menu.

 

There’s Nothing Special About Other Folders

In Scrivener, there’s no real difference between folders (excepting the three special folders) and text files. A folder is just a special kind of text file that has a different icon and opens in a different editor view mode by default (we’ll get to view modes shortly).

You can convert a folder document to a text document and vice versa easily. Try this now:

  • Ctrl-click (or right-click) on “Get Oriented” in the binder (directly beneath the yellow “The Basics” folder).
  • From the contextual menu that appears, select Convert to File. Note how the folder icon becomes a text stack icon.
  • Ctrl-click (or right-click) on “Get Oriented” again. You’ll see that the option is now Convert to Folder—click it to convert back. (You can also convert from the Documents menu.)

So, whether you prefer to use folders or text groups is entirely up to you, and you can convert between them at any time. (Note: A text or file group is any non-folder that has subdocuments.)

How to Search for Documents in a Project

To search for documents in the project:

  1. Click on the magnifying glass in the toolbar. A search field will appear at the top of the binder.
  2. Enter text in the search field. The binder will be replaced with a purple search results list.
    • Tip: Click on the magnifying glass icon in the left of the search field to change search options.
  3. Click on the “X” in the left of the search results header bar to return to the binder, or click on the magnifying glass in the toolbar again.

CloseSearch.png

4. Click on the magnifying glass in the toolbar to hide the search field if it is still visible.
5. You can also run a quick search for documents using the Quick Search field in the toolbar (which currently shows “The Binder”, the current document name). This works like the search field in Safari and brings up a menu of the top results. This is great when you know the title of the document you want to find.

Next week we’ll look at THE EDITOR in the binder.


Note: Some content is adapted from the Scrivener 3.1.1 (9907) help files.

It’s Okay to be Afraid 

When You’re a Caregiver, It’s Okay to be Afraid

Fear of the unknown and fear of the journey you are beginning is part of the process of learning to care for a person with a chronic or terminal illness. It’s a scary assignment. When you’re a caregiver, it’s okay to be afraid.

A Biblical Alternative

You also need to learn to accept the hope for the caregiver that’s available through Jesus Christ. The hope available through the love of Jesus Christ will help you face and handle the fears you will encounter.

My Story

My eyes locked on to the bloody spot on the lower left front of my wife’s blouse.

“What’s going on? What’s with the blood?” I asked. My heart was aching. The half-dollar sized stain looked terrible, scary. I knew this couldn’t be good.

My wife gazed down toward the damp crimson. Her eyes looked tired, sad. She said, “It’s my mold.”

The recalled the small mold I had first noticed over forty years earlier on our wedding night. I had playfully kidded her about it that night calling it her beauty mark. I found out that was the wrong thing to do. She was sensitive about the mold.

“Talk to me. What’s going on?” I said.

She lifted her eyes meeting mine. I could see the tears forming. “I think I must have scratched or irritated it, maybe at work. It started bleeding a couple of weeks ago. It scabbed over a couple of time, but each time I thought it was healing, I did something to cause the scab to bleed. I thought it would heal. Instead, I think it may be getting infected. It’s getting worse,” she said.

Melanoma Cancer, I thought. “Have seen a doctor? Has the doctor looked at it?”

She shook her head, “Not yet. I didn’t want to mess up our vacation to Colorado and your writer’s conference.” She forced a smile then lowered her eyes.

I took her hand, lovingly squeezed it, and hugged her holding her close. We then walked to the car and drove home in silence. Once at our house, I led her to the bedroom, closed the door, had her unbutton the blouse, removed a blood-soaked gauze bandage, and looked at the mold. It was oozing blood through a cracked black scab. The mole had grown to about the size of a quarter since I last remembered seeing it.

“Let’s call the dermatologist. I think that’s Melanoma Cancer,” I said with a seriousness that scared even me.

The dermatologist did a biopsy. The physician had the test expedited. She called the same day with the biopsy’s results. 

“It’s malignant. It is a type of cancer called Melanoma, and it’s Melanoma – Stage 3,” said the young dermatologist with a quivering voice. 

The dermatologist obtained for us an appointment with a surgical oncologist. The urgency of the situation was shown by the dermatologist finding us an appointment the next morning. My wife had surgery within a couple of days. 

The surgery’s findings were terrible. It was Melanoma Cancer. The cancer had spread to the lymph nodes. The surgeon removed thirty-four lymph nodes. The physician told me the five-year survival rate for these findings was less than ten percent. 

She told us some treatment options and that when, not if, cancer recurred it would be restaged to Melanoma – Stage 4 and would be terminal. 

I knew Melanoma – Stage 3 was too big for me to handle. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I had already moved into a new role as a caregiver. I also realized the future my wife and I had planned together had suddenly changed.

Our hopes and dreams were erased and replaced by feelings of fear and hopelessness. I was overwhelmed just thinking about the day to day struggles of caregiving. I faced the fear of the unknown. 

Questions flooded my mind. Would my wife survive? How long would she live? How would we pay the medical bills? How much help was she going to need from me daily? How could I be strong and help her? How was this going to affect our day jobs? I also was concerned about our three grown children and granddaughter. What I needed was hope.

The purpose of this book is to share the hope I have experienced through Jesus Christ. “Hope for the Caregiver” offers Biblical guidance and support helping the man or woman accepting the role as caregiver. It will help the caregiver connect with the perfect love which casts out all fear, the love of Jesus Christ.

The day I noticed the bloody spot on her blouse, my wife and I prayed together. We shared saying I love you and claimed, Psalm 56:3 (KJV), “What time I am afraid I will trust in thee” and 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your cares on the Lord for He careth for you.” 

My wife lived 1001 days from the first surgery. The hope we both had through Jesus Christ allowed us to face each day with confidence. Yes, we still were afraid. However, out trust in Jesus Christ leads us through the process with a calmness that could only come from God.

Bible Verse

1 John 4:18 King James Version of the Holy Bible (KJV), “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

What the Verse Means

John says that perfect love produces courage in the day of judgment. It casts out fear.

How does the perfect love of Jesus Christ accomplish casting out fear? Perfect love casts out fear because it produces a likeness to Christ and Jesus Christ is the Judge.

There is another way in which love produces boldness. It does this by its casting out fear. The entrance of perfect love through Jesus Christ is for fear a cease and desist letter. It is an order to quit.

When love arrives, it brings hand in hand with itself courage. Boldness is the companion of love, only when love is perfect. Just professing Christians can experience this perfect love of God, a love that casts out fear. AsBeliever’s in Jesus Christ, we can face the future, including chronic illness, and even death with the peace that only comes from Christ’s perfect love.

If you are not a Christian, accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior is a prerequisite to obtaining God’s peace. The last section of this chapter explains how to become a Christian. You can accept Jesus Christ today. See the end of the article for information on How to Become a Christian. 

Pray Using Scripture

  • Lord Jesus, thank you that there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.
  • Heavenly Father, help me to keep my mind focused on you and your love for me.
  • God, help me remove any fears I may have as I look to the future by turning them over to you daily and as new ones occur.
  • Provide your grace to meet the challenges I encounter daily. I cannot travel this journey alone but can with you.
  • Help me to know without any doubt that as a Believer in Jesus Christ my ultimate future is in Heaven. Help my loved one to trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior if they are not a Christian. Prepare their heart to hear the Gospel and to accept Christ as Savior.

Responding to God’s Hope

  1. List two examples of times you have been afraid (Psalm 56:3 (KJV) and 1 Peter 5:7).
  2. Remember two times you have trusted in God since your loved one was diagnosed with a chronic illness (Psalm 56:3 (KJV) and 1 Peter 5:7)
  3. List two cares or concerns you are facing. Cast (or give) those cares to the Lord remembering that “He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)).

Photo Source: Pixabay

This article is from the forthcoming book, “Hope for the Caregiver: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional Approach.”

All God Does for You

Remembering All That God Does for You

Learning to deal with a chronic illness includes remembering all that God does for you. 

Bible Verse

Psalm 103:2-5 (KJV), “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

What the Verse Means

The benefits of confessing Christ as Savior are more than salvation and having heaven as our final home. It includes remembering all that God does for us. This includes forgiving our iniquities, healing our diseases, redeeming our life from destruction, crowning us with His loving kindness and mercies, satisfy our mouth with good things and renewing our youth like the eagle. 

Pray Using Scripture

  • Father God, I bless the Lord, O my soul, 
  • Lord Jesus, help me to forget not all your benefits:
  • Holy Spirit, thank for filling and guiding my life.
  • God Almighty, thank you for forgiving all our iniquities, 
  • I know it is you who heals all my diseases,
  • I know it is you who redeems my life from destruction, 
  • I know it is you who crowns me with loving kindness and tender mercies, 
  • I know it is you who satisfies my mouth with good things, 
  • I pray for renewal so that my youth is renewed like the eagle.

Photo Source: Pixabay

Today’s blog post is from the book “Thy Will Be Done: 60 Prayers for the Chronically Ill” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler. It is available in print and on Kindle for Amazon at Amazon Print or Amazon Kindle. If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited member, the book is available to read for free in Kindle format.

With God, Anything is Possible

With God, Anything is Possible

Learning to deal with a chronic illness includes accepting that with God anything is possible. When faced with a chronic disease we may feel surviving day to day is impossible to do over the course of the struggle. 

The Bible teaches that with God, anything is possible.

Bible Verse

Luke 18:27 (KJV), “And he said, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.’” 

What the Verse Means

What is impossible from man’s point of view is possible with God.

Pray Using Scripture

  • I praise God that He is a God of possibilities.
  • I praise God that while beating chronic illnesses like Melanoma cancer and neuroendocrine carcinoid may be impossible for man, it is possible to God.
  • God is Jehovah Rapha, that is the God that heals.

Photo Source: Pixabay

Today’s blog post is from the book “Thy Will Be Done: 60 Prayers for the Chronically Ill” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler. It is available in print and on Kindle for Amazon at Amazon Print or Amazon Kindle. If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited member, the book is available to read for free in Kindle format.

God Protects and Cares for Us

God Protects and Cares for Us

Learning to deal with a chronic illness includes determining how to accept that God protects and cares for us. He is our harbor against the storms of illness and disease.

As we deal daily with our chronic illness, we can use a place of refuge, a safe place. The location of shelter for the Christian is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible Verse

Psalm 32:7-8 (KJV), “For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'”

What the Verse Means

God protects and cares for us.

Pray Using Scripture

  • Thank you, Lord, for you are my hiding place.
  • I am grateful that you protect me from trouble and hold my hand and even carry me once misfortune has befallen me. 
  • You surround me with songs of victory. 
  • Thank you, Lord, for guiding me along the best pathway for my life. You advise and watch over me. I am grateful for your watch care.

Photo Source: Pixabay

Today’s blog post is from the book “Thy Will Be Done: 60 Prayers for the Chronically Ill” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler. It is available in print and on Kindle for Amazon at Amazon Print or Amazon Kindle. If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited member, the book is available to read for free in Kindle format.

Whom Shall I Fear?

Whom Shall I Fear?

Learning to deal with a chronic illness includes turning our worries and fears over to God. Wondering, worrying and becoming fearful of what the future holds or what others think of us as we confront our chronic illness is a place we just can’t live!

We must remember the Scriptures and remind our hearts the Lord God alone is our light and our salvation! 

Bible Verse

Psalm 27: 1-3 (KJV) “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” 

What the Verse Means

With God on our side as Believers in Jesus Christ, we can defeat fear and have confidence.

Pray Using Scripture

  • Thank you, Lord, for being my light and my salvation. Because of this, whom shall I fear?
  • Thank you, Lord, for being the strength of our life. Because of this, of whom shall I be afraid?
  • When confronted with a chronic illness, my heart shall not fear. In Christ Jesus, I will be confident.

Photo Source: Pixabay

Today’s blog post is from the book “Thy Will Be Done: 60 Prayers for the Chronically Ill” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler. It is available in print and on Kindle for Amazon at Amazon Print or Amazon Kindle. If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited member, the book is available to read for free in Kindle format.

Friday’s With Scrivener 3 – The Main Interface

The Main Interface

Scrivener 3’s main interface comprises three main parts They are:

The Binder

The list on the left is called the BINDER. It is called the BINDER because it acts as the project’s ring-binder. The BINDER is where you file and organize all of your material.

The Editor

The EDITOR contains the text you are reading right now. The EDITOR is where you’ll do all your writing. The EDITOR can also show research documents, such as images (JPEG files) and PDF files.

The Inspector

If you click on the “i” in the right of the toolbar (the strip of buttons at the top of the window), you’ll open the INSPECTOR. The INSPECTOR displays information relating to the document currently shown in the EDITOR. Examples of information shown include a documents synopsis, label, and status.

Next Week

Next week we will start by looking at the BINDER in more detail.


Note: Some content is adapted from the Scrivener 3.1.1 (9907) help files.

We Have an Inheritance

We Have an Inheritance

Learning to deal with a chronic illness includes apprehending we have an inheritance. When faced with a chronic disease we realize our normal has changed. We have the new normal of the daily medicines, therapy, and sometimes chemo. A once envisioned future evaporates. We wonder what the tomorrow holds. 

The good news is that as Believers in Christ Jesus, we do have an inheritance. Cancer, heart disease, a stroke, high blood pressure, glaucoma, COPD or any disease/illness cannot take that future bequest away from you.

Bible Verse

1 Peter 1:3-4 (KJV), “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”

What the Verse Means

As Christians, we have an inheritance through Jesus Christ.

Pray Using Scripture

  • I bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • I thank our Heavenly Father for His abundant mercies that through the resurrection of Jesus Christ I have a Living Hope, even as I battle a chronic disease.
  • I praise you for the inheritance I have in Jesus Christ. The bequest in Jesus Christ is incorruptible, undefiled and does not fade away. It does not disappear when I get a chronic illness. 


Photo Source: Pixabay

Today’s blog post is from the book “Thy Will Be Done: 60 Prayers for the Chronically Ill” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler. It is available in print and on Kindle for Amazon at Amazon Print or Amazon Kindle. If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited member, the book is available to read for free in Kindle format.