I Am Helpless; God Is Able!

August 1, 2024

I Am Helpless; God Is Able!

Last week was difficult…very difficult! 

Let me begin with the background.  A little over one year ago, my wife and I received a phone call from one of her brothers.  He asked us to help him and his brother find a nursing home in which to live.  During the next couple of months, we became the Health Care Power Of Attorney (POA) for her two brothers. 

After touring several nursing homes, we helped my wife’s brothers move from their home to a nursing home in October.  We helped them hire an auctioneer to sell their personal belongings in February.  We helped them hire a real estate broker to sell their home in April.  By April 15, they had no worldly possessions except for the things they took with them to the nursing home.

During January and February, we helped my wife’s brothers make plans for and pay for all the elements related to their funerals and other end-of-life matters.  We helped them write obituaries, select songs and Scriptures, plan a funeral lunch, choose an urn for their remains, order a gravestone, pay for a funeral director, etc. etc. etc.

In addition to all those responsibilities, a part of our role as Health Care POA is participating in a quarterly “Care Conference” with my wife’s brothers and some of the staff at the nursing home.  The July “Care Conferences” took place for each brother last week.

My wife and I left those two Care Conferences very sad and more than a little discouraged.  It was obvious again that each of the brothers are unwilling (although able to some degree!) to participate in any way in their own care.  Instead, there is blaming of other people, denial of any problem, and resistance to making a commitment to help the nursing staff with even the most basic things.

My wife and I drove home feeling incredibly helpless.  On the one hand, we want to help each of her brothers have the best quality of life possible.  On the other hand, we feel helpless because they are unwilling to participate in improving their situation.

It is very hard to watch two members of your family refuse either overtly or subtly to do anything to help improve their health and life.  I understand why it is difficult for them to do so, but it is just plain hard to watch them not participate in improving their situation in ways that they are able to do.

I don’t like feeling helpless.

And yet, when I do feel helpless I remember that God is able.  God is able to help and heal.  God is able to give strength and courage.  God is able to clarify our perspective and His purpose.  God is able to save the lost and love the found.  God is able to make a way when there seems to be no way.

There are two Bible verses that help me when I feel helpless.  I pray they help you to remember that our God is able when we are not able.

Romans 16:25

“Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages.”

Hebrews 7:25

“Consequently, he (God) is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

As I write this post (last Saturday), I am remembering our God is able to give strength when I feel helpless, show a way to care when I can see no way, lift my spirits and adjust my attitude when I am discouraged and disappointed and dismayed. 

When I remember and trust that God is able, my heart very quickly begins to be filled with delight in the goodness and greatness of our God.  Even when my responsibilities are heavy, other people disappoint me, or circumstances seem impossible I can choose to take delight in the Lord’s abundant grace and tender mercy.

I pray today you may trust God is able no matter what the disappointment or challenge or sadness you are facing this week.  Choose to find delight in the Lord!

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug