by Naomi Miller
I think we all know people in our lives who love to tell others all about the drama happening in their life. The face of someone probably popped into your mind as you read this.
Some people like to share their opinion of everything. As a child I heard this saying (and have tried to apply it to my life): “We all have armpits, and we all have opinions, and frankly, they both stink.”
And of course, you may know those people who are more introverted and like to hang out in a corner all alone. These folks are the ones who attach themselves to you and follow you everywhere simply because you smiled and said, “Good morning!”
Right now you are likely saying to yourself, “What in the world is her point?” Well, all of these situations involve PEOPLE! Wow! Amazing, right? Who would have ever thought?
All right, the point I was trying to make is that all of these situations are about others—those around us, the people we see everyday, and even the people we hardly see at all. They’re all people who have the same problems we do, who feel the same hurts we feel, and who need the same love we need.
The Bible says in Philippians 2:4, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
I have noticed over the years that it’s so easy to find people who need prayer or who have trials they’re going through. Everyone wants someone to talk to, but sadly, rare is the person who wants to stop and listen. It’s also hard to find some who will actually pray for you or take the time to listen and not interrupt.
The Bible says in Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
How on earth can you bear someone’s burdens if you don’t even know what they are? Well, obviously, you can’t. It’s physically and spiritually impossible. Well, how do you know if someone is going through a rough time and just needs someone to talk to? Let me give you three ways to reach out to those around you.
1] STOP THINKING ABOUT YOURSELF AND TAKE TIME TO LOOK AT THOSE AROUND YOU.
Just ask people how they are doing and if there is anything that you can pray for them about. Right there, simply asking opens so many doors and endless opportunities because your focus is on them, which in turn causes them to be more open to you. Now they are focused on how you cared enough to ask.
2] REALLY LISTEN TO WHAT THE PERSON IS SAYING.
Don’t just ask them how they are doing and then tune them out. Be involved in what they’re saying, and show the person you are listening by nodding your head or offering short words of agreement. It means so much more to people when they know that you actually care about them and what they have to say. Once again make sure your focus is on them and not yourself. After all, you’re not the only one in the world.
3] IF THE LORD LEADS YOU, TRY TO USE YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND TRIALS TO HELP THE PERSON.
The Lord allows us to go through certain incidents in our life so that one day we might be able to help others. But even as you’re trying to help another person, always make sure that you direct them back to God’s Word and what He says.
One of my favorite sayings of all times is by President Theodore Roosevelt, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” And isn’t that so true? I want people to believe I am a caring person who cares about them.
To make the points in this article easier to remember, I want to give you three simple words to remind you of this process that I try to apply to my life daily. Those words are care, bear and share.
1) We need to care enough about those around us to ask if there is anything good or bad going on in their life.
2) Then we need to help them bear whatever burdens they may have on their heart at that time by listening to what they have to say.
3) And finally we should try to share words of either encouragement or sympathy.
Remember, don’t stay quiet; let the person know that you care because…actions speak much louder than words.
When Jesus died on the cross, He showed us that He loved us. He didn’t just say that He loved us. Love is an action word, and everyone in the whole wide world needs someone—anyone—to love them. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
(This article is from the April 2024 issue of the Christian Womanhood magazine.)
