Be a Healer This Holiday Season
Everywhere we go, there are people who are in need. They may be smiling on the outside, but on the inside they're hurting. All around us, people are dealing with family issues, health problems, rejection, broken dreams, and low self-esteem. You never know what people may be going through. God wants to bring healing, and He uses His people to bring His healing to others.
Did you know that every believer has a ministry? It may not be in the pulpit, it doesn't have to be overseas on the mission field, but God is counting on you to reach out to others and bring healing wherever you go. When you see someone who is down and you go over and encourage them, you just became a healer. You just released God's goodness and grace into that person. When you call a friend who is discouraged and say something like, "Hey, I'm thinking about you. I know there are good days ahead for you." You just poured healing oil over them. Even something as simple as smiling at a stranger can bring the life and healing of God to someone. That simple smile says to them, "You're important. Your life matters."
One time, a man stopped me on a busy sidewalk. He was dressed very well, and it looked like he was on top of the world. But behind his fancy outer façade, he was in so much pain. He and his wife had just separated, and he was so discouraged. He said, "Joel, I don't have any reason to live anymore." He hugged me and just sobbed and sobbed like a baby. My coat was wet with his tears. I didn't have all the answers. I couldn't fix everything in two minutes on a busy sidewalk, but I could pour in some healing oil. I could offer some words of encouragement. I told him, "God has you in the palm of His hand. Our meeting here today is not an accident. It's God's way of saying, ‘Everything is going to be alright.'"
After we prayed, he noticed how wet my suit was with his tears, and he was so embarrassed. He said, "Oh, Joel. It looks like I've ruined your jacket." But to me, those tears were like a trophy. You're never more like God than when you're helping hurting people.
As we approach the holiday season, remember, one of our assignments in life is to help wipe away the tears of others. John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came to bring life, and as His followers, we should also bring life to others. I encourage you to be sensitive to the needs of those around you - your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Reach out to them. Take time to wipe away the tears. Remember, what you do for others, God will bring back into your own life. As you bring healing to others, you open the door for God's healing and restoration in your life in return. Be a healer this holiday season, and together, we will be the hands and feet of Jesus!
Did you know that every believer has a ministry? It may not be in the pulpit, it doesn't have to be overseas on the mission field, but God is counting on you to reach out to others and bring healing wherever you go. When you see someone who is down and you go over and encourage them, you just became a healer. You just released God's goodness and grace into that person. When you call a friend who is discouraged and say something like, "Hey, I'm thinking about you. I know there are good days ahead for you." You just poured healing oil over them. Even something as simple as smiling at a stranger can bring the life and healing of God to someone. That simple smile says to them, "You're important. Your life matters."
One time, a man stopped me on a busy sidewalk. He was dressed very well, and it looked like he was on top of the world. But behind his fancy outer façade, he was in so much pain. He and his wife had just separated, and he was so discouraged. He said, "Joel, I don't have any reason to live anymore." He hugged me and just sobbed and sobbed like a baby. My coat was wet with his tears. I didn't have all the answers. I couldn't fix everything in two minutes on a busy sidewalk, but I could pour in some healing oil. I could offer some words of encouragement. I told him, "God has you in the palm of His hand. Our meeting here today is not an accident. It's God's way of saying, ‘Everything is going to be alright.'"
After we prayed, he noticed how wet my suit was with his tears, and he was so embarrassed. He said, "Oh, Joel. It looks like I've ruined your jacket." But to me, those tears were like a trophy. You're never more like God than when you're helping hurting people.
As we approach the holiday season, remember, one of our assignments in life is to help wipe away the tears of others. John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came to bring life, and as His followers, we should also bring life to others. I encourage you to be sensitive to the needs of those around you - your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Reach out to them. Take time to wipe away the tears. Remember, what you do for others, God will bring back into your own life. As you bring healing to others, you open the door for God's healing and restoration in your life in return. Be a healer this holiday season, and together, we will be the hands and feet of Jesus!