Post by
Michelle Dowell, Co-Contributor
A comfort to Christians is that when they feel weak and need help, they're far from alone. And it's not just God the Father who's there. The Trinity means that all three in one are on the Christian's side:
The Holy Spirit helps us each day through the process of sanctification, our daily growing stronger in the faith, in relying on God, who is the most important and powerful being in this world.
Jesus is at the right hand of the ever-powerful Father, interceding for us. And his recorded life on earth is a marvelous gift of words to guide us and assure us that he's on our side. Remembering his sacrifice for our salvation and repaired relationship with God the Father should allow us to see such value and hope in our purpose and life.
God the Father, all powerful and the creator--we have access to him through Christ. How wonderful. A torn relationship was repaired. And signs of his power and loving creativity are in the natural things around us. Such interesting and beautiful details and loaded potential are in all varieties and shapes around us. So much more than a human could ever imagine creating. We can only create reflections of most of these things.
The Christian is also a part of the body of Christ, the local church and other Christians. There are other Christians out there who care deeply if they know of a fellow Christian's need.
And God's common grace given to non-Christians, and his sovereignty, also helps non-Christians to help a Christian in need.
So, dear fellow Christian, for these many reasons, know you are not alone.
Showing posts with label need. Show all posts
Showing posts with label need. Show all posts
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Thursday, May 22, 2014
How To Help a Friend in Need
Post by
Michelle Dowell, Contributor
"Given your experience with cancer, what do you say to a friend who's struggling with cancer?" a women in a Bible study group asked one night.
All the women listened quietly for the answer, interested in finding a trick, the perfect words, to help a person through times feel better.
The cancer survivor paused, thinking about it.
"Nothing, really," she said. "It's mostly about being there with that person."
Most of the women didn't expect that answer and some asked her for more, really wanting a phrase or a saying to erase pain. But that was all she said, repeated in a different form.
It's tempting to think there's some saying or series of questions that will help someone in a time of need. Sometimes words can be encouraging--but words that are encouraging or helpful are not stock questions or stock sayings, they need to come out of knowing the person and what might help them.
Sometimes people don't realize that focusing so much on negative things doesn't help. Asking "How are you doing with that cancer?" every time you see that person isn't necessarily helpful. It reminds them of the pain and may seem like you expect it to be difficult every single day and second, when at times that person may feel hope and peace. Taking a break from thinking about a painful situation helps.
This applies to all sorts of times of need for friends. It could be job-related, relationship-related, finance-related, spiritually-related, etc.
People might argue that it's showing empathy and concern to ask these questions or sayings addressing the hardship and therefore it's good. But the Bible tells us to think of positive things. Even though these are questions that are often asked, they are thinking on and encouraging others to think on negative, not lovely, things.
There is a place for those questions and sayings, and a place to weep with those who weep, but wisdom and knowing the friend well will help dictate it. It's not helpful to just say things because you feel like that's what culture tells you to ask or say. People aren't formula, so words to them shouldn't be either.
So, as this woman mentioned, most of the time just being with the person is the most helpful and most important. Doing things with them and learning what they are doing that they enjoy and being happy for any good things in their life and sharing your life or information about common interests helps.
Michelle Dowell, Contributor
"Given your experience with cancer, what do you say to a friend who's struggling with cancer?" a women in a Bible study group asked one night.
All the women listened quietly for the answer, interested in finding a trick, the perfect words, to help a person through times feel better.
The cancer survivor paused, thinking about it.
"Nothing, really," she said. "It's mostly about being there with that person."
Most of the women didn't expect that answer and some asked her for more, really wanting a phrase or a saying to erase pain. But that was all she said, repeated in a different form.
It's tempting to think there's some saying or series of questions that will help someone in a time of need. Sometimes words can be encouraging--but words that are encouraging or helpful are not stock questions or stock sayings, they need to come out of knowing the person and what might help them.
Sometimes people don't realize that focusing so much on negative things doesn't help. Asking "How are you doing with that cancer?" every time you see that person isn't necessarily helpful. It reminds them of the pain and may seem like you expect it to be difficult every single day and second, when at times that person may feel hope and peace. Taking a break from thinking about a painful situation helps.
This applies to all sorts of times of need for friends. It could be job-related, relationship-related, finance-related, spiritually-related, etc.
People might argue that it's showing empathy and concern to ask these questions or sayings addressing the hardship and therefore it's good. But the Bible tells us to think of positive things. Even though these are questions that are often asked, they are thinking on and encouraging others to think on negative, not lovely, things.
There is a place for those questions and sayings, and a place to weep with those who weep, but wisdom and knowing the friend well will help dictate it. It's not helpful to just say things because you feel like that's what culture tells you to ask or say. People aren't formula, so words to them shouldn't be either.
So, as this woman mentioned, most of the time just being with the person is the most helpful and most important. Doing things with them and learning what they are doing that they enjoy and being happy for any good things in their life and sharing your life or information about common interests helps.
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