Dan Miller recently highlighted a situation that almost all of us encounter on a regular basis.
When others are struggling with something, ranging from finding a new job to mourning the loss of a family member, we often resort to telling others that we’re thinking about them, both with our prayers and thoughtful consideration.
Of course, there are times where all we can do is offer our condolences. A shoulder to cry on.
At other times, we may be able to offer more.
For an acquaintance looking for a job, you may be able to provide a connection in your network who is looking to hire someone with your acquaintance’s skill set and interests. For a friend mourning the loss of a family member, you may be able to make her a meal or take her out for a night on the town.
But what if you don’t have a network connection that can help your acquaintance’s job hunt? What if you live a few states away from your friend in mourning, or don’t have the financial means to treat your friend to a night out?
Don’t worry about it. More often than not, the meaning and intention behind the gesture translate more profoundly than the gesture itself. As long as a person feels that you are genuinely there for support, the medium of support organically falls into place.
The spiritual, or the internal, must be prioritized and taken into account before we can address the physical, or the external. Let me explain.
In Mark 2, Jesus healed a paralyzed man by telling him that his sins were forgiven. Pressed to explain Himself, Jesus asked if it was easier to tell the man that his sins are forgiven, or to tell him to get up, grab his mat, and walk. Jesus initially said “your sins are forgiven” to both show His authority and to highlight that one’s spirit is at the heart of a person, regardless of any physical circumstance.
Jesus then proceeded to tell the man to get up and walk, to which the man arose and walked accordingly. Jesus focused on the spiritual healing and then provided physical healing as a display of His sovereignty and compassion.
Short story shorter, the focus on spiritual healing and comfort should always be prioritized over physical comfort or provision. Yet, it’s important to understand the individual’s needs and to address those needs accordingly. We are His hands, and we produce fruit for others as a result of His vine in our hearts. Let the Spirit lead the body, and allow God to transform another person from the inside out.
In sum, I advocate a focus more on the internal, or spiritual, as opposed to the external, or physical. The physical is a manifestation of the internal. We all have the same need, but we differentiate in receptivity to provision. Use your authentic support and words to build others up during their toughest times, and further provide for them as you are able. Give it to God and see His hands in everything 🙂
Yes – saying “you’re in my thoughts” is really enough to help others in need. But it’s not the only way to help others. Be authentic, be supportive, and accommodate others by truly understanding their needs. When you place others’ needs above your own, you can better serve them and add value; in turn, you’ll witness your own internal transforming into the external, which will motivate you to take more action and add even more value to your mission.
Go out and impact your fellow man. With your words, actions, and consideration. Do what you can, and make sure to leave the world a little better than you found it.
