The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
My older son was diagnosed several years ago with
— Lamentations 3:22 (NRSV)
schizophrenia and alcohol dependence. The complexities of his dual diagnosis include drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, paranoia, delusional thinking, and angry outbursts. We have come close to despair on many occasions. Repeatedly, we have tried to help him because we love him, but we have been forced to back away. At times I have felt anger at the choices he makes that worsen his condition. Because I’m his mother, each time I back away I feel like a failure. I have to live with the shame and guilt that I feel because his severe mental illness is more than I can handle. My heart breaks when I think of his suffering. The sadness and sorrow of the situation at times seem too much for me to bear. During these times, I remind myself that God is greater than my son’s mental illness, my family’s grief, and my own helplessness and pain. I am able to get up, go to work, and live with the situation another day. I know that whatever the future holds, God’s love and grace are greater than any human trial. I am able to look for today’s blessings waiting for me from a God who loves my family, my son, and me.Thought for the Day Volunteer at a homeless shelter.
Prayer Loving God, bless and comfort those who struggle with mental illness. Help those who love them to cope with the trials that come with caring. Amen.
Prayer focus Families coping with mental illness
He leadeth me, O blessed thought!O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful foll’wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Sometimes ’mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, o’er troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me
