The Hurting

There are times when God challenges us to quit looking at the personal pains and struggles around us, but rather to see the hand of God at work, instead of only looking at the things we want changed. Sometimes God is trying to do important things “in our lives”, yet we only focus on that which is “outside our lives”. However we need to be very careful with this attitude. It can be easy to assume that just because God is working within our lives, that likewise, in whatever situation others are in, it must be because God is working in their lives, and because God is working in their lives, we better notstep in and help, lest we interfere with God. However, Galatians 6:2 says, that we are to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” and Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” The scriptures are filled with exhortations that we are to help those who are struggling, we are to reach out to the hurting, we are to speak up for those caught in situations of abuse or injustice. It would be easy to say, well God is working in them, and He is. But many times God is wanting to work through us, to touch and minister to these hurting people. In Matthew 25:35, Jesus talks about ministering to the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, strangers, the sick and the prisoners. In helping these people we are ministering to The Lord Jesus Himself. “In that you did it to the least of these you did it unto Me” Vs 40. Basically it comes down to the fact that we need to work at our own responses and challenges, and then also help others in their situations.