God's Consolation

Ps. 94:19

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

Some have defined an individual as having a Body, Soul and Spirit.  The body is obvious.  The Soul is defined as having a mind, will and emotions, and the spirit as being either dead or alive.  Christ makes the Spirit alive.  A person outside of Christ is considered Spiritually “dead.”

INTRODUCTION:

Life offers us many opportunities, situations and circumstances. Some more difficult than others. When we are in a position to comfort a friend in crisis, we have been given an opportunity to express God's love and our caring.

For some of us, supporting people going through a difficult time can be confusing or awkward.

By the way I have a WEB site called http://moffitt.yolasite.com/ (See MY BLOG:(Sacred Subjects)) and this message will be posted should you want to review it or use it to send to someone else. (Again the message is called: “God's Consolation.”

TEN SUGGESTIONS TO HELP IN LIFE

Here are 10 suggestions that might be helpful. Not all will apply to every situation, so use them when and if you feel they are appropriate.

1.  Make Contact - Let God Use You

Don’t avoid personal contact by putting a ministry opportunity onto someone else, such as the pastor.  Let God use YOU!  I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together.  

When you hear that someone is going through a crisis and you want to support them, make contact. Call, email, or offer to visit. People in crisis often feel alone and appreciate when others reach out to them

2.  Listen to their story

The job of a good friend is to listen. At the beginning stages of a crisis, everyone needs to tell their story in their own time. Allowing the person to tell their story is one of the cornerstones for healing.

You might say any of the following: “Would you like to tell me what happened?” “That must make you angry!” “I’m so sorry to hear that. How are you feeling?”  Avoid questions that require Yes/No answers such as “Are you in pain?”  Instead, one could ask, “Describe your situation,” or “How are you handling your situation?”  Yes/No questions don’t invite dialogue.

Be sensitive that the person may not be ready to get into deep dialogue.

3.  Be there emotionally

Allow them time to tell their story without interruption. You probably don’t know exactly how your friend feels. Be careful about saying, “I know how you feel.” When people are struggling with their own feelings, they think that you can’t possibly understand their experience unless you have been there yourself.

4.  Don’t push, rather brainstorm

People in crisis can feel completely out of control and can benefit from making choices. Rather than insisting on a course of action, offer your friend some options from which to choose. Again, be a listener.

Ask, “If you had a choice, what would you do?, or what are your choices?”  Brainstorm together.

Review:  
1. Make Contact,
2. Listen To Their Story,
3. Be There Emotionally,
4. Don’t Push, Rather Brainstorm

5.  Offer practical help, Give of yourself.

Suggest tasks you might take on such as making calls or running errands for them. Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church.  Jesus showed love by sacrificing Himself. He gave all He had to give..Himself.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but shall have eternal life. What more could God give than His only begotten Son?  What greater gift can we give to someone than our most precious possession, ourselves, our time?

6.  Be Observant

See what is needed, and ask if you can assist. Especially focus on what children involved may require.  If we are focused on ourselves, we are unable to know what a person is going through, much less how to help them.

7.  Bring food

Eating is one of the first things to go in a crisis (along with sleep). Have nourishing food available so that your friend is more likely to continue eating regular meals.

Be sensitive to their needs.  Some people have allergies and some may be vegetarians.  Ask, “Do you have any restrictions?”  before delivering.

8.  Be Patient

Your friend may need to tell the story many times or may still be emotional weeks after you would normally stop assisting. Be aware that everyone’s process of recovery is unique. However, if, after giving it plenty of time, you think your friend is stuck in the trauma, you might gently ask, “How do you see yourself getting through this?  Sometimes prayer, leaving it in God’s hands, is the only option.

9.  Check in over time

At the beginning of a crisis, many people are available to help and support. However, over time, people tend to forget and return to the rhythm of their lives. Keep your friend in the forefront of your mind, and check in with them a few weeks, months or even a year later. They will appreciate that you remembered. It is a great use of a calendar, electronic or wall calender.

10.  Avoid Supporting Reckless Behavior

Some people may want to indulge in recklessness when going through a difficult time. Be the voice of wisdom by suggesting proper behavior. Remember that a crisis is a tender time for everyone. If your intention to support is clear, but you don’t get it completely right, be forgiving of yourself.

Showing up with a loving, open heart

is by far the best medicine.

John 16:22

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest (consolation) for your souls.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

TAKE ON THE LORD'S YOKE

Yoke, a well-known implement of husbandry.  It was frequently used metaphorically for subjection.  God's consolations are a delight to my soul as I subject myself to Him.

The world presents us with a multitude of worries and anxieties – too numerous for us to count.

Everywhere we turn, we see problems and trouble. God says that in the midst of all this mess, we are to look to Him for help.

He tells us to whisper his name "Jesus" as a starting point for handling life's trials. Whispering His name reactivates our awareness of His presence.

Our perspective of life's trials changes dramatically as His presence comes into the screen of our consciousness, lighting up our view of what’s going on around us.

His consolations, soothe your troubled heart and delight your soul.

If the world was perfect we would never experience the pleasure of receiving the Lord's comfort. Instead of letting problems discourage us, we are able to use them as reminders to seek the Lord, His presence and receive His comfort.

Instead of letting problems discourage us, we are able to use them as a reminder to seek Him, His presence, His peace, and His love.

These are invisible realities that are available to us any time, any place, and they provide joy that no one can take away from us.

GOD'S CONSOLATION

So, seek the Lord when you are weary and burdened

and He will provide rest for your soul.