If you’ve read What Social Media I Use the Most, then you know I love Instagram! I have been encouraged daily by the people I follow there. I love how uplifting it can be for me especially when I’m having a hard day. I can simply scroll down my feed to see inspiring quotes and scriptures. I only follow people that are encouraging. If you surround yourself with positivity and encouragement, then you fill your heart with it and you can’t help but share that with others!
Yesterday on Instagram I posted a question that I got from @faithwritersloop
I felt this question was an important one so I wanted to post it here as well! I got some really great responses from some great people you might want to follow.
“Listen, Support and Pray. 🙏”
“Sometimes the best thing is to say nothing at all. Just be there and LOVE them !💜”
“Pray for them, of course, but also, be willing to do the things that need to be done no matter what they are going through. For example… their family still needs to eat…bring them dinner, run errands, help with their kids…be willing to lighten their daily load.”
“Depending on the situation, I try to find ways to lighten the burden and cheer them personally. Sending cards and or visiting can cheer a lonely person. Sharing a meal or just checking in on a person to offer assistance or encouragement shows that you care. Prayer is a wonderful way to meet a spiritual need. Sharing with others going through a financial crisis can be a great help when done responsibly. Sometimes I must be more creative in finding the best way to serve. However, a friend in Christ loves at all times and is patient enough to wait for the answer on how to meet a need. I try to remember that when difficulties arise the kind and loving heart of a friend can make a difference.”
(Can you tell I love this?!)
“One thing I suggest: If you ask someone how they are doing, really want to know the answer. Make and take time to listen.”
“I agree…when I took sick and had to end my job… I really thought my coworkers would be there for support. But life keeps everyone busy and I was sick, lonely and sad. Unless I made the effort, I didn’t see anyone. It was a tough time.” (This was her response to what I wrote which you can read below.)
For me, the number one thing would be to remember that not everyone recovers the same or in the same timing.
Don’t forget them after you stood with them in daily prayer, making sure your presence was known to them on a daily basis and then disappear.
Difficult seasons can be very lonely for most people and although they are not alone ever because they know the Lord is with them always, they can still feel very alone.
So yes, stand with them in prayer, make your presence known to them, shower them with love but don’t forget they may still feel alone and be struggling for much longer than you realize. You may feel their storm has passed while they feel it still rages on.
What are some practical ways YOU serve someone going through a difficult season?
