Spiritual burdens often weigh upon parents of kids with special needs. Guest blogger Kimberly Drew is well-acquainted with those burdens. Today she shares promises from Scripture that help her lay down her burdens and walk an easier road.

Special Needs Parenting Burdens and How to lay Them Down

I have found in these early years of Abbey’s life, that I am too easily swayed by today’s medical crisis or tomorrow’s potential problem. While there is a certain level of compounded stress that comes with her care, I am assured in Scripture that I have everything I need in Christ to travel an emotionally lighter road.

The Burden of Despair

For instance, when I’m tempted to despair, I’m reminded in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

The Burden of Busyness

I sometimes use the demands of her care as an excuse to drift away from God. I’m too busy to do a Bible study, too exhausted to pray, too overwhelmed to invest in my spiritual life. But the reality is, those things are what keep me grounded and emotionally balanced. When I neglect this part of my life my soul withers. But there’s joy and peace that come when I plant myself next to His streams! When we strive to live righteously, we are like this man in Psalm 1:3, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” I’m a completely different person in Christ than I would be left to myself.

The Burden of Insignificance

The biggest discouragement comes when I start thinking that somehow the things going on in my life don’t matter to God. That couldn’t be farther from the truth! “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”  (Luke 12:6-7)

The little things matter to God. Every doctor’s appointment, every phone call, every feeding session, the diaper changes and baths…the sadness from watching her peers and wondering what she might have been like…He knows every tear. He knows the sleepless nights too! Psalm 56:8 assures us, “You have kept count of my tossings;  put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?”

Fewer Burdens=Easier Road

I pray all the time that I can use these lessons to travel this road of raising a child with special needs a little lighter. To cast off my heavy burdens to the One who can exchange them for something better. I love the Message translation of Matthew 11:28-30. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

What Burdens You?

What special needs burdens are you carrying? What promises from Scriptures make it easier to bear them? Leave a comment so others can see their burdens are common to all of us.

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