I keep asking the same question lately; Should we, as Christians, when we intake the information regarding the hardships of others, become involved/continue to become informed on their situation or cut ties and move on?
I understand that at times it may almost be almost impossible for us to escape the details of other peoples hardships (any pastors out there?), but rather than judging or condemning these people in these situations, I have to wonder if we, as Christians, should focus on what God can teach us through the difficulties of others?
Let me explain…
In the hardships of other people I know that I can learn from their circumstances. Two things continue to rise to the surface that I learn when individuals are struggling.
1. I MUST Keep Contact on the King: Personal failures and spiritual breakdowns often happen as a result of us not keeping our focus on Christ. Hebrews tells us that, “Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete.” (12:1-2). While we may never have a clue on the spiritual conditions of others and the reasons behind the hardship, we must remember that you can not take your eyes off of Jesus. If I’m going to help, council, console, instruct, teach, or remain involved in the lives of others I will do only harm unless I keep my focus on Christ and continue to point back to what I am learning in the Word of God (Bible).
2. I MUST Understand the “Misunderstood”: There are people everywhere who carry massive loads of loneliness, emptiness, and even depression because their deceptive worldview tells them that contentment and happiness can be found through something material. I was there once myself. I can’t forget that. Therefore, my mission when engaged in the hardship of others is to understand the misunderstood by helping them see that internal happiness and contentment is found in none other that Jesus. Remember King Solomon? He had more money than anyone could dream of so he went on a secular binge for quite some time. His mission, to see if he could find contentment and happiness with things here on earth. He wrote: “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.” (Ecclesiastes 2:10). In the long run Solomon found himself in a darker place than he ever imagined. He came to the conclusion that without God everything is “meaningless.” Why? Here was his reasoning: “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Remembering the hurt of others helps us engage in what they think we misunderstand.
If I’m going to help, I think we must constantly go back to the fact that we too were once lost. However, as Christians, we are found, as free men, in the blood of Christ. That changes everything.
What do you think?
-jordan
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