Christ’s life was all about being a caregiver and yet, I read a very humbling description of Him in the prophecies of Isaiah 53. Here He is seen as "a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." One that would be " wounded for our transgressions." Words like "rejected" and "despised" depicted His relationships with the religious society of His day. We are now looking at our Wounded Caregiver in the purist sense of the word.

    Some would like to suggest that we could never be like Christ. However, the clearest definition of the Christian calling is that we might become like Christ in all that we do.

    Paul requested that he might know Christ "and the fellowship of His sufferings" as well as the "power of His resurrection" (Philippians 3:10). A brief glance at 2 Corinthians 11: 23-30 would indicate that Paul had been granted his desire. Paul was also a wounded caregiver.

    While we make reference to two of life’s greatest examples of a wounded caregiver, we should also take a moment to find some of the characteristics that helped them to succeed.

    In the case of Christ, we are told that He endured His greatest trial by focusing on a joy that was beyond the suffering.

    Hebrews 12: 2 shares this description, "…Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." While Christ was still completing His task of making atonement for our sins, He was looking forward to His role of being an intercessor for us.

    One of the strengths of a wounded caregiver can be found in his/her focus. If we focus on our wounds, we will be inclined to question if the labor is worth it. When focusing on the importance of the task and what it might mean to others, it is easier to find meaning for our wounds and strength to continue to care. Remembering that the will of God for our lives is not all about us, we can focus on the people to whom God has sent us, and the difference that we can make in their lives.

    Of course, the greater focus should be on the fact that we have chosen to do the will of our Father in heaven. Our reward from God will be much richer than any reward or rejection from mankind.

    If we read on in the twelfth chapter of Hebrews, verse three will afford us another focus point. "For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." When we feel the pain of our wounds, it is important that we consider the pain of His wounds which were endured for us.

    Paul focused on the value of his wounds. He saw them as opportunities to experience God’s power in his life and ministry. After praying for deliverance from a thorn, he was given direction that brought him the find a greater deliverance. In Second Corinthians 12:9 God shares His answer to Paul’s request for deliverance. "And He said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

    The deliverance that Paul discovered was in his ability to turn a hurtful wound into a positive blessing. If you can turn each wound into an opportunity to find God working in and through you life, then the wound has served you rather than harmed you. In that strength you can go on ministering.

    Another focus that a wounded caregiver might discover would be to question to whom he is providing this care. Jesus taught us that, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of he least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." (Matthew 25:40 . If I can see the person for whom I am providing care as Christ in my life, the task will more likely appear as an opportunity rather than a burden.

    As you may have concluded, the key to overcoming the wounds of a caregiver can be found in the attitude of the caregiver.

    Attitude can change any situation in your life. The negative attitude can make an experience of great blessing into one of drudgery, while a positive one can bring joy out of sadness.

    Consider the focus that is recommended for the restoration of a fallen brother. Galatians 6:1 suggests that we should put ourselves in the place of the fallen brother as we minister to the task of restoring him. What would I want if I were in this situation? Surely, patience takes on a different meaning when we are the subject of the care.

    Most of the wounds of a caregiver have to do with emotional feelings. One cannot afford to allow the feelings of a moment to guide the decisions that will last a lifetime. This is where a proper focus can lead to caring choices.