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. 

 

Babbie Mason-Standing in the gap

 

(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)

Contact

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

Hope Prevails Book cover vertical 536

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/.

 

 

Will you be the one who listens to a hurting friend? Sometimes, God intersects our paths with others for a greater purpose. Read more for what to do to show you care when friends are hurting. #listening #encouragement #loneliness

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