When Hard Times Come

There will be times in our lives where others will need our help or will ask for our opinion about something they are dealing with. Either the person will reach out to us for some advice or we will see they are having some issues and we have an opportunity to help. When these opportunities come about we need to be sure we do and say the right things so we are truly helping them and doing as God wants us to do.
2 Corinthians 6:4 “In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.”

Before helping anyone, we need to go to God and ask for His guidance. Before we take the first step or speak the first word of advice, we need to be sure the words we speak and the things we do are in line with what God wants us to say and do. We have to be careful we don’t lead them down the wrong path or we don’t appear boastful when we give them advice. We need to ask God to help us have patience with them and to be His messenger to them.

When a person is in need and doesn’t reach out to us for help, we can still help. This person may not know we are able to help or this person may not realize he or she actually needs help. When someone does not ask for help, but we are compelled to help, we have to be sure we approach them with caution so we don’t make them feel bad about the situation and so they will trust us as someone who really cares. We need to ask God to help us to know what to say and when to say it and have the patience to wait for His time.

When someone comes to us in need we have an opportunity to show them God’s love and help them as God wants us to. We don’t have to have the answers right away. We may never have the exact answer for them. We may just be there to listen, to pray and to help them wait for God’s answer. God may want us to help them to deal with what they have going on by being with them while they wait. It is better for us to wait patiently for God’s answer for them rather than to just give them an answer to make us look good.

It is important when we are helping others that we take time to pray and ask God to give us the right words and actions. It is important when we are helping others that we take time to listen to the other person and let them talk about all of the situation and what they have done. It is important when we are helping others that we aren’t quick to speak and to judge.

We need to be sure we let the other person know that we don’t have all the answers. We need to be sure we let the other person know God is the only one who can truly help them find peace with what they are dealing with. We need to let the other person know that, in time, things will work out and it is important they do the right things while they are waiting.

We all have situations in life that are not easy to deal with. We all struggle and need to know how to handle the hard times and how to teach others to do the same. It is important we use situations and challenges to help us to grow. We need to learn and teach patience when hard times come. When we use our problems as opportunities to learn patience and go to God in prayer, we will find peace and make a difference.

Psalm 37:39-40 “Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.”