It’s verly likely that somebody at your job or congregation — or perhaps within your own home — is discouraged now and feels buried under the weight of grief because of some broken dream or relationship.
For those of us who have been in such seasons, the awareness of what another is feeling is all too familiar. And that is the very reason that we — as believers — should be so given to doing what we can to bring a boost to a hurting person’s life.
Hurting hurts.
And helping helps.
Christians are supposed to be as Christ to others.
Yes, I know these things are obvious. But too often, we neglect the obvious.
We neglect the hurting person.
Even though we didn’t like it in the past when people neglected us during our seasons of hurt.
See if you agree with the following passage from Proverbs 18:14.
“The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?”
I’ve had times when I was so sick that I couldn’t even get out of bed without a major exertion.
And I’ve had times when I was hospitalized because of the risk of instantaneous death.
But it wasn’t these events that dragged me down emotionally.
It was something else that crushed my spirit.
The kind of crushing that weighs so heavily on you that it almost is hard to breathe.
In those moments, it was the certain, uplifting hand of God that rescued me. I will never forget how my struggling faith was sustained by the God who has never failed, who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.
I made it through and have been blessed by God to help many others when their spirits were crushed.
It’s part of why God helps us at such times — so that we’ll help others when dumptruck loads of burdens and disappointments are piled onto their chests.
Be discerning of what others are feeling. You just might see an opportunity to love, encourage, help and point a person to the perfect One who can lift them from the pit of despair just as Jesus promised long ago and just as He has done for you before.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
As always, I love you
Martin
