Sometimes God just intersects your path with someone else for a greater purpose. Sometimes it’s for them to minister to you. Other times it’s for you to be there for them. Either way, we must yield to His prompting, follow His nudge, surrender to His will. Will you be the one who listens to a hurting friend?
Stop and listen to a hurting friend
Life is busy and as usual, my to-do list was longer than the hours in my day. I knew what I thought I needed to get done for the day, but His plans were different.
When we bumped into each other, without thought and without expecting more than the obligatory “I’m fine” in response, I asked the question that started it all, “How are you?” Tears filled her eyes, beckoning me to draw her in for an embrace.
I sat and listened. Life is hard. Relationships are harder. Situations don’t make sense. And by and large, I didn’t have answers. Nothing I could say would right other people’s wrongs, heal deep-seated hurts, or bring a peaceful salve to a chaotic mind.
But that’s ok. Because Jesus doesn’t require us to have all the answers. He asks us to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with Him.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
Sometimes that means tearing up the to-do list, pulling up a chair, and making them your only priority.
Sometimes that means not judging and leaving the judging up to Him.
Sometimes that means listening with a heart of compassion because we all need to be heard.
Sometimes that means acknowledging you don’t have the answers but you’ll pray on their behalf to the One who does.
Notice the hurting friend beside you
This encounter wasn’t unique. Look around you. Everywhere we look, people are hurting. People just need to be heard. They just need to know they are found worthy in His sight. They just need to know that while you may not have all the answers, because of Him, #HopePrevails.
Especially during the holidays, when loneliness is paramount, will you take a few extra moments to be the hands and feet of Jesus and notice the one hurting beside you who just needs to know someone cares? Will you be the one to care? #BeTheOne
Because of Him, #HopePrevails
Are you feeling lonely or alone? At some point, we all experience loneliness and need to know that God is there. These Bible verses reinforce that you are never alone. Never Alone: 15 Bible Verses when you feel alone.
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
A short brief about Hope Prevails.
Hope Prevails
Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Speaking from personal and professional experience, a neuropsychologist unpacks what depression is, shows how it affects us spiritually, and offers hope for living the abundant life.
Neuropsychologist Offers Hope to Those Struggling with Depression
-By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide
- An estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression
- Helpful features include personal stories, biblical truths, prayers, and music recommendations
In Hope Prevails, Dr. Bengtson writes with deep compassion and empathy, blending her extensive training and faith, to offer readers a hope that is grounded in God’s love and grace. She helps readers understand what depression is, how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.
For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, Hope Prevails offers real hope for the future.
Hope Prevails is available now wherever books are sold. To find out more, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/.
Dr. This book “HOPE PREVAILS” much of what you wrote I experienced my self except being bedridden. Mine was that I spent 3 days in ICU mixed wrong meds. Wife and them thought I tried to end it all . On the 3 rd day I had out of body experience no lights or fire just a shadow. I began to speak a voice sad you must go back then I was back in my flesh.
People need this message “HOPE PREVAILS” because it will save someone a lot of agony
Thanks for writing this book
You’re so welcome. I appreciate you taking the time to read it. I pray it does just as you said and gives people HOPE and saves them some of the pain. Because of Him, HopePrevails!
I was the one just tonight. This is an encouraging post. Be blessed! Happy New Year!
Laura, that’s great!! Keep stepping out and stepping up and be the one. You never know how much that will help someone!
I am so grateful to read this today! I actually just got home from spending time I didn’t think I had to be with my mom. I knew she was dealing with a lot of struggle and heartache because of my 13 year old brother with mental illness. I let go of all the things….the housekeeping, the writing, the promoting, the list that never ends, and I spent a few hours with her.
Sure, we talked about the hard stuff with my brother and all that, but we also laughed and looked at makeup and shoes. It was good to be there for her.
Thank you for helping me let go of any residual guilt for letting go of the list to be there for her today!
So glad I visited from #ThreeWordWednesday
Becky, you have chosen the better part! What you did was a blessing for your mother, and I suspect for you as well. Keep being the one! Because of Him, #HopePrevails
Thanks for linking up with Literacy Musing Mondays! So true – we don’t have to have all the answers. Sometimes just being there is the best medicine. 🙂
Brandi, being there for someone else is a sacrifice that can have far-reaching impact in their lives. Don’t ever underestimate the power of a few minutes meeting the needs of another! Because of Him, #HopePrevails
Beautiful reminder! It brings me back to when I was a new mom and my pediatrician had just told us our baby had lost too much weight and that I had to quit nursing. I was a mess and my husband had to go to work, so he called a friend from church who so wanted to come but was sick and couldn’t be around a new year. So she got on the phone and found a woman. This lady was on her way out the door for lunch plans but new in an instant this was what God wanted her to do instead. She was at my house in 20 minutes. We didn’t know each other well yet but she was exactly what I needed and we got to know each other on one of my scariest days as a mom. She also had the resources we needed to get my baby to start drinking his bottle. I’ll forever be grateful that she was open to the Lord that day. I hope that I can offer similar comfort to the ones I love in return.
Andrea, what a gift she was to you. And because you know the comfort He provided for you when you needed it, now you can comfort others. It’s a beautiful cycle of we will heed the call!
Yes! This line broke my heart with it’s truth. “They just need to know they are found worthy in His sight.” Thank you!
Joy, isn’t that what we all want in our core? To be found worthy by Him. The good news is, He already has! Because of Him, #HopePrevails
When a believer realizes who they are IN CHRIST – it is a first step to lifting anxiety and fear. I suppose the second step is being willing to forgive and allow Jesus to forgive through you. I loved your areas on your post to re-tweet and made use of them. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
Hazel, knowing our identity in Christ is key to surviving and thriving in life. It’s the answer to everything. Thanks so much for sharing!
Amen, that is so true! I have been blessed to have people do that for me, and I intend to pass that on.
Angela, so glad to hear that others have done that for you. Now you can comfort others with the comfort that has been given to you! It’s a beautiful thing. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
“Sometimes that means tearing up the to-do list, pulling up a chair, and making them your only priority.” What a great reminder today. Sometimes laying down our own desires can make the difference. Beautiful article. Visiting from Grace and Truth.
It’s never really about us – every day is about Him and what He has for us to do today. There’s nothing better than being an instrument of His love! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
It always amazes me at how certain people cross my path at just the right time in life. Thank you for sharing your post at the #HomeMattersParty this week. Hope to see you link up again on Friday!
This message is so good!!! I am standing in the gap for quite a few but I know that I can’t fix anything but I can join in prayer with them and encourage them to seek the Lord because He is the one with all the answers. so thankful for the Lord’s wisdom and strength to be a listening ear for those who come to me. Sometimes I just know people are hurting but they won’t say anything so I will approach them. I was at church one Sunday and I saw a young woman in front of me get up and walk into the foyer. I waited a few minutes, she did not come back and Father nudged me to go check on her. I walked into the foyer and found her standing, leaned against the wall, crying. I walked over to her and just wrapped my arms around her and held her, not hugged her but held her. All I said to her was, I love you and Jesus loves you. No questions and she did not say anything and when I knew it was time, I let her go and went back to my seat. I found out later that another friend of mine also went to her and held her and then came back inside. I didn’t even know who she was but now I am in contact with her and have other opportunities to encourage her. Listen to Father and Obey.
Thank you, Michelle! #BeTheOne What a great post and great hashtag!
Pinned and tweeted.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements and have a great 2020!!!
People always ask – what can I do? when someone is going through a hard patch, and you can never underestimate being the one person who is just there, listening, loving. Thanks for sharing this. More people need to know it’s okay to just listen, in fact it might be the best thing!. Pinned and tweeted~stopping over from Instaencouragements!
I love this post, Michelle. So often people respond with a weak “fine” when we ask, “How are you?” It’s the expected response. But if we’re willing to really listen, there are hurting hearts all around us. Thinking of and praying for you, Tammy