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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Please read this if you use Linseed oil or Tung oil
I usually don’t post twice but this is important. Summer is a time we engage in a lot of projects that involve was, Linseed oil, Tung oil. and other such products. I’ve read some posts lately where these items are suggested for projects. The author of these posts never warns of the dangers or suggests Read more
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A fantastic recipe you must try. I did and it was great!
(Forgive the “busy” background this week. But I just had to add some flowers. Summer is fading fast. Hope it’s not too distracting.) I think I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I’ve decided to become a “gourmet” cook. (Do keep the “gourmet” in parenthesis). Anyway, I made my first “Galette” a few weeks Read more
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the week in review and silly political controversies
Last week was a nice week. Spend most of the week at the cabin. It was relaxing and I thought of a new term I want to post about in the future. I like this phrase a lot. I think I’m the first to coin it. I don’t recall ever reading it anywhere. So don’t Read more
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Why we don’t always have to ask God about every decision.
Want to share exclusively from Oswald Chambers today. “At critical moments it is necessary to ask guidance, but it ought to be unnecessary to be always saying–“O, Lord, direct me here, and there.” Of course he will! If our common sense decisions are not his order, he will press through them and check; then we Read more
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Is there anything we shouldn’t change? Yes, there is.
I’ve been writing about change this week. But before I go on, a conversation I had tonight with a young woman prompts me to write this as well. When we’re talking about change, especially as Christians, I want to make it clear that we are NOT talking about changing one’s personality. That’s not the change Read more
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God is in charge so let’s all breathe
I’m late posting today. Plus I’m taking a little detour. All the politics and the news of the past few weeks has unnerved me. How about you? When I read this during my devotions this morning, I felt a great sense of relief. So I wanted to share it with you in case you needed a Read more
-
Please read this if you use Linseed oil or Tung oil
I usually don’t post twice but this is important. Summer is a time we engage in a lot of projects that involve was, Linseed oil, Tung oil. and other such products. I’ve read some posts lately where these items are suggested for projects. The author of these posts never warns of the dangers or suggests Read more
-
A fantastic recipe you must try. I did and it was great!
(Forgive the “busy” background this week. But I just had to add some flowers. Summer is fading fast. Hope it’s not too distracting.) I think I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I’ve decided to become a “gourmet” cook. (Do keep the “gourmet” in parenthesis). Anyway, I made my first “Galette” a few weeks Read more
-
the week in review and silly political controversies
Last week was a nice week. Spend most of the week at the cabin. It was relaxing and I thought of a new term I want to post about in the future. I like this phrase a lot. I think I’m the first to coin it. I don’t recall ever reading it anywhere. So don’t Read more
-
Why we don’t always have to ask God about every decision.
Want to share exclusively from Oswald Chambers today. “At critical moments it is necessary to ask guidance, but it ought to be unnecessary to be always saying–“O, Lord, direct me here, and there.” Of course he will! If our common sense decisions are not his order, he will press through them and check; then we Read more
-
Is there anything we shouldn’t change? Yes, there is.
I’ve been writing about change this week. But before I go on, a conversation I had tonight with a young woman prompts me to write this as well. When we’re talking about change, especially as Christians, I want to make it clear that we are NOT talking about changing one’s personality. That’s not the change Read more
-
God is in charge so let’s all breathe
I’m late posting today. Plus I’m taking a little detour. All the politics and the news of the past few weeks has unnerved me. How about you? When I read this during my devotions this morning, I felt a great sense of relief. So I wanted to share it with you in case you needed a Read more
