WidowLife Wisdom: How to Help a Disabled Widow
- 08/28/2023
- Perspective Ministries
The Bible is full of stories of people with physical disabilities in need of care and healing, including the woman suffering for 12 years from hemorrhages that even the doctors could not help (Luke 8:43-48), the disfigured woman bent over for 18 years because of an evil spirit (Luke 13:10-17), to Peter’s mother-in-law struggling with a high fever (Luke 4:38-40). In each of these situations, Jesus is there, showing compassion and bringing relief.
A disability can be mental or physical and is often a permanent condition. Some women who have been left alone feel the weight of their new season as if they have been disabled. There are many new responsibilities she must do on her own, and the learning curve is steep, often with a crippling impact. However, for the widowed woman who also struggles with a physical and diagnosed mental disability she is in need of great care.
6 Ways to Care for the Disabled Widow
- Pray. She needs wisdom, discernment, patience, and peace from God that surpasses understanding.
- Form a support squad of people willing to serve on a consistent basis. This group would include home, lawn, and auto maintenance volunteers.
- Stock her pantry and freezer with meals or arrange weekly/monthly deliveries.
- Assist with financial stress. Send gift cards for food and gas or help with medical expenses. When a person is disabled, it often impacts their ability to work.
- Give your time. Help her by running errands or taking her to her appointments.
- Provide care for her children. Take them to a movie, extra-curricular activities, or be there as a mentor.
When her circumstances seem overwhelming, and healing may not be experienced in the way we desire, we can trust that God cares and will use each situation to display His glory.
“As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:1-4).
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10, ESV).
