Considering the title of this post, have you ever asked yourself the question, “How can I help someone else when my own life is tough?” I would say that many people have, including me. I’ve been there before, when my life was flipped upside down, but yet I still needed to sing on the praise team, lead the young adults group, do women’s prison ministry, and be a loving wife and mother at home….even though life was tough for me.
I get it, sis. You might want to scream, throw the whole basket of clean towels in the air, or ball your eyes out, but people around you need you to still be you…even when you’re having a tough season. Now granted, if there’s a death in the family, divorce, or something else really tragic happening in your life, you’ll definitely need time to grieve, heal, and deal with what’s going on in your life (and I believe many people with a beating heart would or should understand that). However, if God calls you to give someone a smile, cook a meal after surgery, or fulfill a promised commitment (if it were in your power to do so), would you still do it even though things were hard for you?
This is a tough one.
But Jesus did it. When John the Baptist died, Jesus was grieved and hurt after hearing of his death. The Bible tells us in Matthew 14:13-14, “As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat and had compassion on them and healed their sick. This is also the time leading up to him feeding the five thousand. So we see here that even though Jesus was going through a tough time Himself, He showed us with His own life example to be ready to serve or help in a time of need.
When I lost my dad to lung cancer a few years ago, that was hard. One day we found out that he had cancer and in just a few short months, he was gone. That hurt. And I’ll tell you something. The day after his funeral, I picked up a book by Joyce Meyer (I don’t remember the title), and she stated in her book that the people of Israel were only able to mourn Moses for 30 days and after that, they had to move on. Now, I read that at a time when I was hurting, but the Lord was showing me, “You can’t stay here. Grieve. Cry. But you are going to have to move on.”
That was a real moment for me. But because I knew it was God’s word, I knew that I was going to have to do it. And I did. I can even recall a woman at my church asking me, “How did you do it? How were you able to still get up there and minister to us in song like that, after losing your father?” And I told her that it wasn’t that I was so strong. It was the strength of God, His Word working, and knowing that I had to move and still do what He was calling me to do for others beyond my pain.
God does truly work everything out for the good for those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose as Romans 8:28 states. With that being said, I want to encourage you to press through for others sis, because people around you need you. They need your smile, joy in the midst of whatever you’re going through, faith in action, and a helping hand.
Here are a few Scriptures that I want to share with you that I pray will help you to help others, when life gets tough for you…
Galatians 6:9-10, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith.”
1 Corinthians 15:58, “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
Nehemiah 8:10, “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Psalm 30:3, “…weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
Be encouraged, my sister. If Jesus can do it. So can we! God’s got you.
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
QUESTION: Are you going through something tough right now, but know that you need to be there for others at the same time? If so, how can I join you in prayer about it? Leave a comment or email me @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com.
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