One challenge I faced during my time caring for Catherine during chemo was the feeling of guilt. It was hard to shake off and understand why I felt this way.
I guess on reflection I felt this for not being able to prevent the cancer, guilt for not being able to make their partner feel better, guilt for not being able to balance caregiving and other responsibilities.
I know now that Guilt robs you of freedom, peace and joy. It can make you feel unacceptable or isolated.
My personal encounter with guilt was quite challenging. I constantly blamed myself for my inability to prevent or cure Catherine's disease. Furthermore, I felt guilty for dedicating my time to work instead of attending her chemotherapy treatments. Whenever we needed to make health decisions, I would burden myself with the guilt of making wrong choices. This cycle of stress was unbearable and compounded by my thoughts; I would often indulge in fantasies about a future without Catherine or how I would carry on with life.
Also, I couldn't help but feel guilty whenever I did things that brought me joy, knowing that my loved one was suffering. However, recognising these emotions was a critical step towards my journey of healing. I found solace in turning to God and disclosing these negative feelings to him. By releasing them to him, I experienced a sense of peace that enabled me to overcome my guilt. I can't imagine going through that ordeal without my faith in God. Knowing that he's with me gives me the courage to find hope in difficult times
A caregiver of a breast cancer patient may experience feelings of guilt for various reasons. Firstly, they may feel guilty for not being able to prevent the cancer or for not recognising symptoms earlier, which may lead to some self-blame. Secondly, caregivers often have to make difficult decisions regarding their loved ones' healthcare, which may cause guilt if they feel that they have made the wrong decision, or if their loved ones suffer any negative side effects from the treatment. Thirdly, caregiving can often be emotionally draining and lead to feelings of burnout or resentment towards the loved one or others for not helping more. This can then lead to feelings of guilt for feeling this way. Lastly, caregivers may feel guilty for having negative emotions or taking time for themselves, as they may feel that it is not the "right" thing to do. It is important for caregivers to recognise and understand these feelings of guilt, and to seek support when necessary, to manage these feelings effectively and maintain their well-being.
So how can we lean into faith in these situations?
Here are some examples of how you can ask God for help in the context of guilt:
1. You can ask God for help me with the feelings of guilt for not being able to prevent or cure Catherine's disease. You can ask him to give you the strength and guidance to move past this guilt and to find peace in knowing that you do everything in your power to help them.
2. Ask for your comfort and reassurance as if struggle with feelings over not attending chemotherapy treatments. And help to let go of this burden and to trust that they knew how much you loved them, regardless of my physical presence at every appointment.
3. Surrender your fear of making wrong health decisions for them. Ask for guidance in making the best choices for their well-being and give you the peace of mind to trust in those decisions.
4. Ask for your forgiveness for indulging any thoughts of a future without them and for not fully cherishing the time I had with her. Help me to be present in the present moment and to find joy in the memories we shared.
5. Pray for your strength and comfort as you continue to enjoy life and find joy in things, despite your loved one's suffering. Please remind us that it's okay to experience happiness and that it doesn't diminish my love for them.
6. And thank God for being your source of comfort and guidance in times of guilt and stress. Ask for your continued presence in our life as we journey towards healing and peace. Please help us to trust in your love and to find hope in difficult times.
Lets Pray!
Dear God,
We come before you today to ask for your strength and guidance as we care for our loved ones who are suffering from breast cancer. Give us the wisdom to make the right decisions, the patience to handle the challenges that we face, and the courage to continue to support those we love through their struggles.
Help us to overcome any feelings of guilt or self-blame and trust in your divine plan for our lives. May we find peace and comfort in the knowledge that you are always with us, providing us with the love, hope, and strength we need during difficult times.
We pray that you will wrap your healing arms around those who are suffering from this disease, relieving them of their pain and restoring them to good health. May they find strength in your unwavering love and be comforted by your grace.
Through our faith in you, we know that we are never alone and that you will give us the courage and strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead. We give thanks to you, God, for all of the blessings that you have given to us and pray that you will continue to watch over us all.
In your holy name we pray,
Amen.
コメント