Help, I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up!
Life experiences have a tendency to knock our feet out from under us, especially during trying times.
Getting back up can be hard; oftentimes requiring the help of a family member or friend.
It’s o.k. to ask for help; in fact, this is where Christians can really learn a lot about ministry. As Christians, we are given many opportunities to help those in need around us. In the church world we tend to call this “ministering to other’s needs”. Well, ministry is not just for professional ministers. Anyone can and should participate in helping people in need.
The next time you are given opportunity to help someone in need, don’t side-step or complicate this moment. Consider the following acronym – a simple and practical way to HELP.
H – hug
E – encouragement
L – listen
P – prayer
It really is that simple. Sometimes people just need a hug - a warm embrace that communicates love and special concern. A hug can work wonders for a wounded soul.
Words of encouragement are very powerful and breathe life into downtrodden circumstances.
A simple, "God truly cares about your needs, and so do I" can comfort people and give them hope. You might be given opportunity to share a personal testimony of God’s grace and mercy in your life. You might share your favorite scripture that helped you in troubled times.
Help can be as simple as taking time to listen to someone’s need and showing sincere concern. Active listening is something we all need to work on. We can be easily distracted by what we want to say instead of concentrating upon what others need to share. Listening can soothe and comfort people in a profound way.
And finally, taking time to pray for someone, right then, opens the door for relational bonding and “miraculous results".
If possible, find a quiet place to pray. This doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out religious prayer. It can be as simple as “Lord, help my friend in need and remind me to lift them up in prayer throughout this week.”
See there, HELP is not so complicated. Start practicing these simple steps; and before long, you will find helping people to be a natural part of your Christian experience – one that comes with great rewards!
August 9th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Well said. Keep it up, it certainly will “HELP” those who are in need.