Today's daily devotion

Attitudes of Life

Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.—EPHESIANS 4:1–2 NASB

Attitudes can be a serious problem in our caregiving ministry—our attitudes and theirs. Many people who live in pain become very negative. So do others as they simply grow older. Sadly, many people tend to find fault with everyone and everything and have days when they are just plain disagreeable. It can be very hard for us as caregivers to rise above it all, walking in the manner of which God has called us.

But if we can put ourselves in our patients’ shoes for a few minutes, we’ll realize how difficult their lives have become. They are unable to control their situations—or even their own bodies, in many cases—and sometimes lash out in frustration. But if we continue to love and respect them as God’s special person, their feelings of inadequacy may lessen and they’ll be able to see beyond the moment.

Time passes very slowly for the sick, the elderly, and those in pain. With little to do to fill that time, they really need our love and understanding. They need to be reminded of their importance and made to feel worthy of love and care. They desperately need our acceptance flowing from an unconditional love.

That’s the only attitude that really matters.