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understand the people around us


The people we are around come from every walk of life and have all different kinds of things going on.  Some are struggling and in pain for numerous reasons from health, depression, unemployment, relationship or family issues and more.

We must be careful how we look at the people we encounter.  I see people every day that avoid uncomfortable situations or who avoid people who are not like them.  If we are honest, we will admit that life is messy.  From where I stand and as I have said before, ministry is messy. 

I love people, and it a blessing and an honor to serve others.  Today is one of those days that is so full.  A couple of the people I dealt with are in great distress, and one ended up in the hospital.  Another made a tough choice and is struggling with life and the future.  One of the guys I am so proud of lost his job as another business in our community closed, and he is stressed.

It is hard to understand the people we are around, yet we have a God who loves people.  He knows where each person is and what he or she needs.  And we can and must lean on God for help.  He gives understanding.  He gives compassion.  He also gives us help that we can’t get anywhere else!

Mark 6:34 (NLT)
Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Matthew 13:12 (NLT)
To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge.

When I lean on what I know or what I think, trouble comes.  But when I lean on God and listen in to how He leads and to what He says, things change.  Lives change.

Understanding people isn’t easy.  It also isn’t easy to help people, but by doing good to others, we will be blessed and find our purpose in life.  May God help us understand the people around us.  May lives be changed as we lean on and trust in God.

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