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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The Man Upstair, and Everywhere Else
This is a young woman I follow. While her description of God might not be the way I would describe Him, she’s young and just beginning her journey. I think this will appeal to my younger followers. Discover more from goodthoughtsgoodlives Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Type your email… Subscribe Read more
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I’m no longer treading water; I’m swimming in possibilities.
When once I was treading water, now I’m swimming in possiblities. Read more
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Life bringers, life drainers. Which one are you?
“The me I want to be” by John Ortberg. “Dr. Jilll Taylor was a thirty-seven-year-old, Harvard-trained brain scientist who suffered a massive stroke. The left side of her brain, which regulates speech and linear thinking, was devastated. For many months she lay in a hospital bed, unable to carry on a conversation. She writes of Read more
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From my prayer chair
I read this today in my devotional, My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Let God have perfect liberty when you speak. Before God’s message can liberate other souls, the liberation must be real in you. I interpret this as saying that my “message” means nothing if it hasn’t worked in my own life. Read more
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From my prayer chair
Proverbs: 9: 8 &10 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you. Reprove a wise man and he will be wiser still. Give instruction to a wise man and he will still be wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. It does no good to try and teach some Read more
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Deja’Vu/ Is a church stealing my idea?
Not really. But this is so interesting. Last month, I posted a series of articles about recognizing God’s voice. As my husband and I were returning from a dinner with friends last night, we saw this at local church’s exterior announcement board, “Knowing God’s Guidance”. We looked at each other like, “Whoa”. What a coincidence, huh? Read more
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The Man Upstair, and Everywhere Else
This is a young woman I follow. While her description of God might not be the way I would describe Him, she’s young and just beginning her journey. I think this will appeal to my younger followers. Discover more from goodthoughtsgoodlives Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Type your email… Subscribe Read more
-
I’m no longer treading water; I’m swimming in possibilities.
When once I was treading water, now I’m swimming in possiblities. Read more
-
Life bringers, life drainers. Which one are you?
“The me I want to be” by John Ortberg. “Dr. Jilll Taylor was a thirty-seven-year-old, Harvard-trained brain scientist who suffered a massive stroke. The left side of her brain, which regulates speech and linear thinking, was devastated. For many months she lay in a hospital bed, unable to carry on a conversation. She writes of Read more
-
From my prayer chair
I read this today in my devotional, My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Let God have perfect liberty when you speak. Before God’s message can liberate other souls, the liberation must be real in you. I interpret this as saying that my “message” means nothing if it hasn’t worked in my own life. Read more
-
From my prayer chair
Proverbs: 9: 8 &10 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you. Reprove a wise man and he will be wiser still. Give instruction to a wise man and he will still be wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. It does no good to try and teach some Read more
-
Deja’Vu/ Is a church stealing my idea?
Not really. But this is so interesting. Last month, I posted a series of articles about recognizing God’s voice. As my husband and I were returning from a dinner with friends last night, we saw this at local church’s exterior announcement board, “Knowing God’s Guidance”. We looked at each other like, “Whoa”. What a coincidence, huh? Read more
Discover more from goodthoughtsgoodlives
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