Fatigue And Frustration!

January 14, 2021

Fatigue And Frustration!

My mother has been in the hospital in Lincoln for over a week. 

About ten days ago, she tested negative for the Covid virus.  The next day she had failed so much that she was taken to a hospital emergency room.  There she tested positive for the Covid virus.  I suspect the first test resulted in a false read; it happens! 

Before being admitted to the hospital, my mother had eaten very little for three or four days, ran a temperature for two days, and lost enough strength that she could no longer walk without assistance. 

My mother lives in a care center for people with Alzheimer’s.  She receives excellent care from a staff who are compassionate and engaging.  I am grateful for those who work so diligently to care for her.  

At the same time, I am very concerned for the staff as they do their best to respond to a significant outbreak of Covid in their facility.  In the last few days, they have had to move residents into “Covid Positive” wings and “Covid Negative” wings.  I know fatigue and frustration must be taking their toll on them.

Covid is one thing.  Covid for a person who lives with Alzheimer’s is quite another.  My mother cannot remember that she is in a hospital, she cannot remember to leave her oxygen in her nose, she cannot remember that she is sick.

However, she does remember that she does not like an IV in her arm so she pulls it out.  She does remember that she does not like something in her nose so she pulls it out.  She does remember that she feels alone and afraid most of the day (one family member is allowed to visit once each day in the evening) so she wants out.

My mother does not understand what is happening.  Fatigue and frustration are wearing her down almost more than the Covid virus.  When I visited her last Saturday evening, I could see in her eyes that she was not far from giving up because she did not know what she was fighting.

Sometimes the enemy we are fighting is obvious.  But, sometimes it simply feels like there are enemies all around, nameless but dangerous.  We can get fatigued and frustrated with the fight. 

The Psalmist understood better than we know.  Here are a couple of examples of the Psalmist’s prayers.

“…rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.”  (Psalm 69:14)

“All day long my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse.”  (Psalm 102:8)

Sometimes it seems like everything and everyone is against us; the enemies are all around.  The enemies are plotting and attacking, we are sinking in the muck and mire, and the criticism and negativity does not quit.  The Psalmist understands that we can reach the point where we feel fatigued and frustrated with the fight.

The Psalmist looks to the Lord God for strength and courage as well as comfort and healing.  Here are a couple of examples of the Psalmist’s prayers.

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.”  (Psalm 138:7)

“Save me, O Lord, from my enemies; I have fled to you for refuge.”  (Psalm 143:9)

Our hope is found in our Lord Jesus.  Jesus will preserve us, deliver us, and rescue us.  Jesus will heal us, help us, and honor us.  Jesus will provide for us, protect us, and be present with us. 

When we place our hope in Jesus, we will find ourselves taking delight in Him even when the fatigue and frustration are high and the enemies are attacking.  We can choose delight rather than defeat.  We can choose delight rather than disappointment.  We can choose delight rather than discouragement.

I invite you to take delight in Jesus when you are fatigued and frustrated in you fight against the enemy.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug