When Others are in Need

To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3 (New International Version)

I have known what it was like to choose ashes, mourning, and despair over beauty, gladness, and praise. Those were not times of joy and delight for me or those close to me. Consumed with feelings of hopelessness and sorrow left me with little ability to see the light at the end of my tunnel as anything but an on coming train! The exchange of my crown, oil, and garment came through God’s work in my life and He often used books, music, and significant people. One person in particular saw my struggles and knew the truth of what God could do. She patiently and persistently reminded me of that truth until it made its way into my mind and heart. Do I still have days where the old ways of thinking and acting are evident? Absolutely! But those days are fewer and farther between and their duration is definitely shorter. It is still a journey and process of growth.

Now I am finding myself on the other end of the scenario as a person in my life is struggling with a propensity toward negativity and despair. He cannot see the hand of God in his life and squirms under the weight of his present circumstances. What I know to be true is that while he doesn’t have a choice in where he is at or why he is there, he does have a choice in how he views it all and what attitude he will carry throughout his days. My responsibility is not to change his heart, alter his circumstances, or allow his mindset to become mine. I in no way am to become a fellow pit dweller with him. That would benefit neither one of us. What I am to do, however, is pray Scripture over his life, speak truth to him when he wants to talk things out, and keep directing his attention back toward the One who views him as precious in His sight. In order to do that I must be daily reviewing truth myself, connecting with God, and choosing God’s view of things over my own.

I cannot give to this person anything I do not first possess for myself and I will not possess those things through any other source but God Himself. I have been ministered to in powerful ways and now I am poised to do the same for another in need. With that in mind, I anticipate with joy the way God is going to work in mighty ways. He will show us that His ways and thoughts are higher than our own. In that I delight!

Father, I look to You to help the one who is struggling. He is Your son and the clay upon Your potter’s wheel. I entrust his heart, mind, and life to You. Amen.

Go Light Your World - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVSHCbolJew&feature=related

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16