Confusion

"For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement." 2 Tim 1:7


My father-in-law suffers from Alzheimer's.  I know I've mentioned this before in previous blogs.  Lately his condition had deteriotated drastically.  Yesterday was especially critical.  Out of respect and love for him, let's just say that it was not a good day at all.  He had been on new medication and we thought it was helping him to remain calm.  It was completely ineffective yesterday. 

The problem is, he becomes easily confused.  Confusion can set in from his daily routine being disrupted, or be caused by giving him instructions that he can not follow, or even simply saying the wrong thing.  When he gets confused, he can become upset and extremely agitated - sometimes to the point of being uncontrollable.  Usually, he can be redirected and his agitation subsides.  But not yesterday.  He was highly agitated all day.  Nothing helped.  His confusion lead to his agitation.  His agitation further fueled his confusion.  He was caught in a vicious cycle that Alzheimer's plays on its victims...and their caregivers.  There are seven stages of Alzheimer's...based on what we've learned about this terrible disease, Dad is about midway through the 6th stage.  It's heartwrenching to watch what this disease is doing to Scott's Dad...and Mom.

Confusion is an enemy of the mind.  Confusion erodes our sense of confidence.  Within each of us is a compulsive demand to be in control.  We have to live in a predictable world, one structured by daily routines and laced with the familiar.   Our enemy knows this.  Therefore he delights in sending us into panic mode, upsetting the finely defined confines of our little world.

We can, however, be on guard against such attacks by putting on the breastplate of righteousness.  God has clothed us with His righteousness.  He has saved us from sin and death!  And when we wear the breastplate of righteousness, our heart is protected even if our minds are struggling to figure out what in the world is going on.  We have assuredness and confidence that God is in charge and in control.  Even if we do not completely understand why, we can have peace in knowing this truth.   

I am thankful today because I am hidden in Christ and His righteousness...I can experience security in my heart even when my mind cannot understand what is happening or why it is happening.  I'm wearing the breastplate of righteousness today...my heart is secured in Christ even when my mind can not comprehend!

Grace and peace, friends!


In His Love, Cathy