Caregiving exposes something most of us never see coming:

Our thinking is broken — and it always has been.

Yes, caregiving brings exhaustion, stress, and crisis. But the real problem runs far deeper than circumstances. The root issue traces all the way back to Eden.

When Adam sinned, God pronounced:

“Cursed is the ground because of you.” (Genesis 3:17)

The dirt beneath his feet was broken because of sin. But if even the ground was cursed, how much more the mind that led Adam into rebellion?

"If the very ground was cursed because of sin, how much more so are our minds?"

That’s not poetry — that’s theology. And it’s the daily reality of caregivers everywhere.

We assume we’re thinking clearly. We assume our instincts are reliable. But Scripture says otherwise:

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

“Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

“Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

Our thinking isn’t neutral — it’s tainted by sin. Total depravity means sin didn’t just touch our behavior; it poisoned our reasoning. And caregiving simply turns up the heat, forcing our broken minds into the spotlight.

Left to ourselves, our minds write checks our souls can’t cash.

One of the cruelest lines caregivers hear is:

“Just trust your gut.”

No. Don’t.
Your gut is tired. Your gut is scared. Your gut is sinful.

Even David knew better:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

The problem isn’t just out there. The problem is in here.

The answer isn’t in “trying harder” to think better.
The answer is surrender.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)

Christ, who lived perfectly, offers us His mind — not simply as a theological concept, but as a practical necessity for caregivers in crisis.

You’re not doomed to your own instincts. In Christ, you have clarity your flesh can’t produce.

Caregiving isn’t about becoming better thinkers — it’s about becoming better surrenderers.

If sin could corrupt the ground beneath Adam’s feet, you can be sure it corrupted the mind that led him there.

The sooner we admit our thinking is compromised, the sooner we can lean fully on the mind of Christ.