Christian Struggles: How to Overcome: (part five)
Our Struggles Are Minimized By Serving Others.
Living our faith by serving others, we gain perspectives on our own struggles.
Faith is not just something we believe—it’s something we live.
As Christians, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We show His love to the world through our actions. This means embodying His teachings in our everyday interactions, promoting kindness and compassion in all that we do.
By serving others, we can make a profound impact. We show that faith is not merely a set of beliefs but a lifestyle characterized by love, grace, and mercy. Our daily decisions and relationships reflect our spiritual convictions, urging us to be messengers of hope. We brighten the lives of others, and that same light brightens our lives as well.
We Serve As A Way to Manage Our Struggles
When we face struggles, it’s easy to ignore the suffering of those around us. In the midst of our chaos, we can become so enveloped in our own challenges that we forget the weight others bear. One of the best ways to manage our own struggles is to step outside of ourselves. Helping others in their own battles can be incredibly rewarding. Haven’t you noticed that when you face something tough, and you help someone else, you begin to forget your own tough times? Even if it’s just for a moment, it makes a difference.
Acts of kindness can give us more than just a momentary distraction. They can shift our perspective. They remind us that we are not alone in our suffering. Engaging with others can lift our spirits and offer a fresh outlook on our own problems. If nothing else, it gives our minds a little reprieve from incessantly thinking. Most of us tend to overanalyze our difficulties. Perhaps, we would be better served by simply taking a step back. Letting ourselves breathe for a moment could help.
Don’t Have To Figure It Out Ourselves.
Many times, people fall into the trap of trying to figure it all out on their own. But maybe, just maybe, if we gave our minds a rest and invited God into our decision-making, we’d find ourselves in a more peaceful and clearer mindset. I’m not suggesting we do nothing and expect God to handle everything for us. Hardly.
Life requires action, effort, and intention. Yet, there’s a profound strength in knowing when to act and when to trust. We can actively seek answers while at the same time letting God ultimately decide the right path. It’s a delicate balance—a dance between faith and action. Through this process, we can cultivate resilience and empathy, not just for ourselves, but for those we meet on our journey. By helping others, we grow in understanding and compassion, finding healing along the way.
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” – James 2:17
Real-Life Reflection:
Michael felt a nudge to start volunteering at a local shelter, even though he didn’t feel particularly qualified. He felt out of place among people different from him.
But soon he found that underneath his facade, he wasn’t much different than the others. He found himself embracing relationships with those much different than him. He found he could learn from their experiences and was humbled by their stories of survival.
Michael discovered a deeper sense of purpose and connection with God. His faith came alive. He saw how small acts of kindness could make a big impact. These acts affected not just others but himself as well.
He made visiting the homeless shelters a weekly part of his life. He even met his wife there, which was a story in itself he loved to share.
Devotional Questions:
- How can you live out your faith in practical ways?
- What opportunities do you have to serve others in your community?
- How does serving others deepen your relationship with God?
Conclusion:
It’s a fact of life, Christians struggle. I don’t know a single Christian who hasn’t suffered trials. Throughout history, many have died for their faith. We must acknowledge our humanness in order to live our faith. So when our struggles inevitably come, we are not as shell-shocked as we could be. It’s not that we look for problems around every corner, but that our first response is to turn to God.
God bless, and have a great day.
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When there is no encouragement and no “good”word
(I’m reposting this as this week has been all about anxiety, and my anxiety was at an all-time high during this particular time in my life which is why I’m reposting it during this series. I reread every word and haven’t changed a word because it was how I felt then and it was honest. Read more
-
How to live with a chronic brokenness, four steps
Have you ever had to deal with a difficult ongoing situation. It’s never easy. It can cause anxiety and keep us feeling unsettled. But there are some actions we can take that will bring relief. Read more
-
One way to effectively reduce the pain of anxiety
When we’re feeling anxiety, fear, sadness, etc, it’s good to have a pre-determined plan to deal with them. Otherwise, we let things fester. Here’s what I do: (I am re-posting this for myself today as much as for my followers. I’ve edited the original and added some new thoughts.) I picture a small jeweled chest that Read more
-
If you suffer from anxiety, ……….
(Starting on Monday, I will be posting a series of posts dealing with the subject of anxiety. I realize I’ve already posted today, a couple of times. But I just wanted to give you a heads up.) If you suffer from anxiety, I think you will find these posts helpful. Anxiety, like depression, can have Read more
-
Happy Mothers Day to you and me, and crazy socks
Hubby and I are on our trip out to the Badlands. So my daughter sent me this Mother’s Day gift ahead of time. I opened it yesterday and was thrilled. The package of cookies are also sold by a young woman who was also born with Down Syndrome. The socks. Notice the lavender Read more
-
My mom’s final moments and the beginning of my pain
(I wrote this within about an hour after my mom died on May eleventh while I was waiting for Hospice to come. I wrote it because I want a written account of how I felt in the hopes that it will prove helpful to someone else going through this. I’m reposting this in honor of her memory.) Read more
-
When there is no encouragement and no “good”word
(I’m reposting this as this week has been all about anxiety, and my anxiety was at an all-time high during this particular time in my life which is why I’m reposting it during this series. I reread every word and haven’t changed a word because it was how I felt then and it was honest. Read more
-
How to live with a chronic brokenness, four steps
Have you ever had to deal with a difficult ongoing situation. It’s never easy. It can cause anxiety and keep us feeling unsettled. But there are some actions we can take that will bring relief. Read more
-
One way to effectively reduce the pain of anxiety
When we’re feeling anxiety, fear, sadness, etc, it’s good to have a pre-determined plan to deal with them. Otherwise, we let things fester. Here’s what I do: (I am re-posting this for myself today as much as for my followers. I’ve edited the original and added some new thoughts.) I picture a small jeweled chest that Read more
-
If you suffer from anxiety, ……….
(Starting on Monday, I will be posting a series of posts dealing with the subject of anxiety. I realize I’ve already posted today, a couple of times. But I just wanted to give you a heads up.) If you suffer from anxiety, I think you will find these posts helpful. Anxiety, like depression, can have Read more
-
Happy Mothers Day to you and me, and crazy socks
Hubby and I are on our trip out to the Badlands. So my daughter sent me this Mother’s Day gift ahead of time. I opened it yesterday and was thrilled. The package of cookies are also sold by a young woman who was also born with Down Syndrome. The socks. Notice the lavender Read more
-
My mom’s final moments and the beginning of my pain
(I wrote this within about an hour after my mom died on May eleventh while I was waiting for Hospice to come. I wrote it because I want a written account of how I felt in the hopes that it will prove helpful to someone else going through this. I’m reposting this in honor of her memory.) Read more
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