Prepare - Pause - Pivot - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

Be fully prepared to hold your ground. Ephesians 6:13 VoiceWhat prepared you to be a caregiver?Most of us went into this experience with zero preparation. In fact, you were thrown into it - sometimes by default because no one else would pick up the task. And now you are here. What are you going to do about it?Many talk about the hardships of being a caregiver and need a place to vent. If that is where you find yourself, set a timer and go on your rant. What’s left at end of that monologue? Betrayal, anger and despair. As you numb yourself to the strong feelings it could be easy to check out and go through the motions.Instead, how about you get prepared to hold your ground. Stand firm where you are and learn to regain your power.What can you do differently?Prepare to take your power stanceThere is a definite connection between your posture and what is happening inside your brain.  Research is showing that holding the power posture stance for 2 minutes a day actually releases the assertiveness hormone (testosterone) and lowers the stress hormone (cortisol). Take this posture even when you don’t feel like it and soon your ‘feel-good’ hormones will catch up with the choice you have made.Pause Having done all … stand!!!! (King James Version)The prayerful pause is so powerful because it allows you to take your time and move in the right way without wounding those you love.Every time you feel yourself shrinking from the task at hand remember that you are in a war. Take your battle stance. You are a power warrior and the details are already taken care of so that in the end YOU win. This means that instead of groveling and feeling less than your potential, you say, “With the help of the Lord, we’ve got this one too.” This will take practice if you’ve been indulging in complaints .Pivot to victoryBecause of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious. Eph 6:13 TPTIt’s time to stop reacting and start running to win the race. You can do this! Do you see yourself winning? The stance of someone who wins the race is very different from the one who is happy just to make it to the end. Pay closer attention to the way you sit, stand, sleep, and move throughout the day. Your body is all connected. When one thing is out of place, the entire body can be affected. When that one thing is your spine, then the body can be greatly affected. Considering that the spine and brain are connected, it’s easy to see why behavior and attitude are so greatly affected by posture.You are victorious. You are a winner. Throw your hands in the air and praise God before you cross the finish line. Lift up your head to your maker and creator and thank Him for how he has all the details taken care of. Move like a champion not a defeated victim. Prayer will accomplish this in you as you begin to take the territory that is rightfully yours.Little consistent changes, over time, can mean big improvements.PrayerThank You, Lord, for your help and presence when I feel that this caregiving situation is more than I can handle. I need Your help so that I’ll still be on my feet Send a textFor more hope inspiration you can follow her posts on:https://www.instagram.com/the.hope.ladyhttps://www.facebook.com/hopeispowerfulRate and review this podcast to spread the hope to others who need to be reminded they can go from rock-bottom to the mountain top one step at a time.