It’ a wonderful thing when in the midst of a terribly difficult season in our lives, there is someone who intentionally does all he or she can to help us with encouragement, with prayers, with advocacy comments toward others or perhaps a combination of all three.
The load of stress and despair seems less because of such intercessory efforts and we are very grateful.
It’s likely that we’ve also experienced the opposite unfortunately, either because the involvement of some others only made things worse or because no intercessory efforts were made in our behalf.
When people in your circle of influence are going through tough times, how do you respond?
Are they quietly hoping you’ll try to help?
Are they overtly asking for your help?
Are they receiving that help?
Are you encouraging? Praying? Serving as their advocate toward those who need to stop hurting them or to start helping them?
Are you a God-hearted, God-empowered, Spirit-guided intercessor? Or are you a disinterested observer who doesn’t want to get involved because it would cost you something?
God calls us to help others because it’s the Christlike thing to do. It’s also the Golden Rule thing to do.
Let’s not be the person described in a passage from today’s reading in the One-Year Bible:
“Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.” (Proverbs 25:19)
Let’s be imitators of God when it comes to helping those in our lives. Let’s be everpresent helpers in times of trouble.
It’s what we want from others. And it’s what we’re called to offer to others.
The huting, frustrated friends and family around us already have enough broken teeth and lame feet without us adding to the list.
As always, I love you
Martin
