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There Are No Easy Answers 

I heard this comment by Dr. Joy Brown, a radio psychologist, one evening on my way home from work: "Most of the answers are simple. They are just not easy." As I reflected on this, it seemed to be a profound truth. I would like to share some seemingly simple answers, from a spiritual perspective. The problem with answers that sound simple is that they are often much more difficult to put into practice. Sometimes, though, in order to do what is emotionally healthy, we must take the more difficult path. 

1. People who are giving to others need to be in relationships with other giving people. 

Some of us will give until we are dried up, believing that sacrificial giving will sustain us, "It is what God is asking of me." Yet we begin to notice that we are easily irritated, tired and uninterested in things that used to hold our attention. We pray, and ask God to help us with these symptoms and then become frustrated when He doesn't seem to be answering our prayers. 

But the answer to our prayers may be that we should be utilizing the resources God has put into our lives. We should develop relationships with the people he has placed in our world, the people who can give back to us with love and assistance. 

God wants to take care of us and will surround those of us who are in positions of taking care of others with caring, loving people to sustain us. We may need to open our eyes and see them, as well as be willing to spend time receiving from them. 

It seems that across the nation, not just in our own homes, caregivers do not ask for the help they need. And if they do, and are refused, they do not ask again. The difficult task is to keep asking. Someone will answer the call; whether moved by our need or by the hand of God, they will answer. 

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