Troubled Soul - Dorothy Carey

Ca. 1765–1807

The life of Dorothy Carey doesn’t offer us easy inspiration. Despite her staunch misgivings, Dorothy was persuaded by her husband, pioneer missionary William Carey, to sail from Britain to India in 1793. Her only two daughters had died, and she had to sail in rough conditions while pregnant and caring for their three young boys. By all accounts, William did not help much with the children.

It seems as if William disregarded the needs of his wife and children to pursue his missionary work. But, as in any troubled relationship, there’s his side, there’s her side, and then there’s the truth. Two hundred years later, it’s difficult to know how it really was between Dorothy and William.

We do know this: Dorothy faced many hardships in India. Financial problems, language barriers, lack of emotional support, and health problems—both physical and mental—abounded. History records that for the last twelve years of her life, Dorothy was insane. And in India at the beginning of the nineteenth century, Dorothy had no chance of receiving the mental and emotional care she desperately needed.

What inspiration can we take from Dorothy’s life? There’s this: life’s pressures can get to us, and when there are signs that we need some emotional help, we should never ignore them. Women are notorious for taking care of everyone else before taking care of themselves. We fancy ourselves Wonder Woman but forget that it’s a sign of strength to seek and accept help when we need it. And in modern times, we have a wealth of help available to us that Dorothy never had.

Adding to the complexity in Dorothy’s case is that William was (and remains) such a hero of the faith. He was attempting great things for God! Did she feel that her needs were pulling him down? That can happen in modern relationships too.

Your needs are important. God wants you and your relationships to be whole. You can take a break from caring for everyone else to care for yourself. If you don’t, it’s quite possible that sooner or later, you won’t be able to care for anyone. Take full advantage of the spiritual, mental, and emotional help that’s available to you.

Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.

3 John 2