Seeing Peoples Needs

Sometimes you can tell by the look on someone's face what they are going through. 'Joseph, looked at them, and saw that they were sad.' Even though he himself was unjustly imprisoned, he found fulfillment in helping two other prisoners. Would it have been easier just to focus on his own problems? Yes, but it's self-defeating. 'As you look back on your life, the moments that stand out are always the ones when you did things for others.' Joseph realised he wasn't the only one hurting, so he did what Jesus always did - treated those around him with compassion. How about you? Do you take time to try to understand what people are going through? Are you self-absorbed, or concerned about others who are hurting, especially when you've nothing to gain by it? Encouragement is like a shot of adrenaline: it can lift a person and put them back on their feet again. 'A remedy for the evils of our time is the gift of yourself to those who've fallen so low that even hope fails them.' Will those you give to, always give back? No, but God will. When the royal butler was released from prison he forgot the promise he made to speak to Pharaoh on Joseph's behalf. But God didn't forget! Joseph's best days were ahead. Think of his rise in Egypt, his service to a nation, his impact as a leader, and the joy of reconciling with his family. He underlines it: 'God turned into good what 'others' meant for evil' Genesis (50:20). So, start 'seeing' the needs of those around you.

There are hurting people everywhere, but at times we just don't know what to say or do to ease their pain. Be there. At times the best "method" of helping is simply to be present. During our darkest hours, we don't need someone who tries in vain to fix everything; we just need a friend.
Listen. Don't attempt to give answers or tell people what to do next. Injured souls frequently want simply a listening ear so they can express what's on their mind.
Share. Never parade yourself as someone who has all the answers. Instead, allow your own pain and failures to help others.
Pray. There is power in speaking people's names before the Lord. When they hear someone talk to Jesus on their behalf, healing often starts taking place.
Give. Sometimes helping others involves more than a handshake or warm hug. Maybe they need something financial or material. One of the best measures of sincerity is how much we're willing to give to others.
Substitute. You may know an individual who bears the burden of caring for someone else. If you step in and take his or her place for a while, you are emulating your Savior--He, too, was a substitute.
Because we were unable to do it ourselves, Jesus bore all of our sin and sorrow, even unto death. As a result, we can live happily and eternally in communion with our Father. If Christ did that for us, how can we ever say, "I'm too busy to bear someone else's burden"?

There are days too dark for the sufferer to see light. Unfortunately, your so-called friends often will not bring you any relief. There are experiences too extreme for the hurting to maintain hope. When a person drops so low due to inner pain, it's as if all hope is lost. That's why we admit our lack of ease, our absence of peace, and our deep unrest.
There are valleys too deep for the anguished to find relief. It seems, at that point, there is no reason to go on. We run out of places to look to find relief. It's then that our minds play tricks on us, making us think that not even God cares. Wrong! Do you remember the line that Corrie ten Boom used to quote? I often call it to mind: "There is no pit so deep but that He is not deeper still." I know, I know. Those who are deeply depressed don't remember that and can't reason with it. They would deny such a statement because they feel a vast distance between them and God, and it's confusing--it's frightening. But the good news is that God is not only there He cares.

God doesn't say, "Shame on you," God can handle your words. He understands why we say what we've said. Unfortunately, like Job who has his words on record for preachers to talk about for centuries. Yours and mine, thankfully, will hopefully remain a secret inside our cars, or in the back part of our bedrooms, or along the crashing surf, or perhaps under tall trees in a forest. God can handle it all; so let it all out. Tell Him all that's in your heart. You never get over grief completely until you express it fully. Don't hold back'. Look up to find the Light, that is Christ Jesus!

Reverend William Bowers