Find Out The Answer

There are times when others come to us with something they are trying to do and sometimes we tell them we just don’t know or we don’t have time. However, we should stop and try to help them any way we can. It will benefit them and us if we take an extra step to try and help. We need to help them find out the answer.

It is easy to say we don’t know and send them away but what if their need was deeper than just that one problem they had? When we take time to find out what issues they have, that gives us opportunities to ask questions. Questions help them to think differently about the situation. They will open up and confide in us and we need to be there for them. We can use this time with them to talk about what the Bible says to do and be a better witness to them.

Proverbs 27:9 “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.”

If we turn them away, they may go to someone who acts as if they want to help but only gives them bad advice. They may end up taking advice from someone who wants to hurt them or only wants what they can get from them. If we turn them away, they could end up not having anyone else to turn to and make the problem worse on their own.

Finding out the answer doesn’t mean you have to give them answers so they become dependent on you. However, we should find out enough that we can point them in the right direction for help. We don’t know everything, but we are able to listen and help them find the answer. We can give them resources of names or places they can go who can really help. We can follow up and see how they are doing and we can give support and encouragement to them.

When we make an effort to show we care, we are also able to share God's love with them. So when someone approaches us and needs help, we don't need to say we don't know. We need to find out enough to give them an opportunity to share what's on their heart so we can share with then what God has done for us. God brings people to us who are in need for a reason. It is not meant for us to turn them away.

Taking time to listen and then share ideas on how to solve a problem or work on an issue helps both us and them. They are able to confide in us and possibly find an answer. We are able to share ideas, build relationships and learn something. We can look for ways on how we can better help them in the future. We can become stronger and make a difference when we help others to find the answers they need. We can help them find the answers God wants them to hear.

Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.”