Sandwich Generation Medical Battles? Comforting Bible Verses For You and Your Family!

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The Sandwich Generation issues of caring for elderly parents and helping with grandkids can have moments of peace and quiet alternating with times of total crisis. This is true when it's just the elderly parents who have the health issues. But it is even more true if other family members are also struggling with health problems. 

In a one year period, a friend of mine commented that he had to deal with, "surgery for his mother, hospitalization for one other senior family member, a severe illness for one of his children, and an ongoing heath problem for two of his grandkids." I've had years similar to that as well. During seasons of life like that, it can feel like you are overwhelmed, under water, and suffering attacks from all directions. That's when I especially appreciate some wonderfully encouraging and comforting Bible verses from 1 Samuel coupled with one from Zechariah!

You probably remember the story of David and Goliath, which is found in 1 Samuel 17. I loved what David told Goliath, which was proved out by the Lord:

"David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty… All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give all of you into our hands.'" 1 Samuel 17:45a, 47

This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6

Of course, as a Sandwich Generation caregiver, I might re-word those something like this:

It is not by X-ray or scalpel that the LORD saves (though He often uses those tools); for the battle is the LORD's!

and

"Not by mighty medicine or surgeon's power (though again, He might use those as tools), but by My Spirit," says the LORD Almighty.

In David's situation and in many of ours, we do see positive results that make us cheer. In other cases, such as Stephen's when he was stoned (Acts 6-7) or as in the case of two dear friends, both of whom were strong Christians, who died from cancer – all the while surrounded by many many prayers, we don't "see" the results we had hoped for, but we still KNOW that God is in control and that the battle is indeed His and He still conquered. We can't always understand why.

As Paul told us in 1 Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face ; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." Still we choose to trust Him, just as David chose to do before he saw the results. I am sure this is one of the many reasons God said of David, 'I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after My own heart; he will do everything I want him to do." 

David did succeed with Goliath, but he had failures as well – one of the most notable being his affair with Bathsheba and all that entailed!  (2 Samuel 11-12) Yet through it all, he set us a strong example of faith in God no matter what! 

When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. "I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. "So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in His ways, and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses…" 1 Kings 2:1-3a

That's the kind of legacy we want to leave for our children and grandchildren, isn't it? And it starts with tiny steps, day by day. Steps like reading the Bible daily, following His directives such as, "rejoice always, pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks," and trusting in Him, knowing that the battle – every Sandwich Generation battle we face – truly is the Lord's! I pray you are as blessed by these comforting Bible verses as I am! 

I found some wonderful praise and worship music for these Bible verses, including this song, Not By Might Nor Power, by Ron Hemby, on the mp3 album, My Heart Rejoices.

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Wasn't that encouraging! When they sing "all the kingdoms shall topple" I am reminded that our battles are not against earthly enemies but spiritual, and those kingdoms can include illness, fear, and sorrow!

I love praise and worship hymn songs and music of all kinds, but the ones that incorporate the actual Word of God in the lyrics are always my favorites. That way you and I are blessed in so many ways including by hiding God's Word in our hearts and minds. That's definitely a big help for each of us in the Sandwich Generation as we stay very busy caring for elderly parents and helping with our grandkids! And you'll find more encouraging Bible verses and praise and worship music at Spiritual Sunday!  🙂

P.S. Speaking of cancer, I wanted to use my cute little FROG (Fully Rely On God) to remind us all that this is breast cancer awareness month and thank Karen Valentine for generously allowing us all to use the cute pink ribbon breast cancer awareness clipart in the right column, as well, to remind each of us to make sure we and the beloved in our Sandwich Generation lives are all up-to-date on ANY necessary checkups to help stamp out cancer of ALL kinds! 🙂