A Helping Hand

  I am so blessed with such great friends and family. The words of encouragement help get me through the days when I want to just give up. Not a day goes by when someone asks what they can do to help, as well, I too want to help others every day as they are struggling. I have tried to compile a list in areas where we can all help those who are struggling in any situation, not just illness.  

  If I look around, I can always find that there are greater needs than my own. While I find myself thinking: I really want to help them, but what do they need most? I can’t physically do a lot to help, but there really is so much more I can do.

  As human beings, I feel we all need the following qualities in our lives to help us through our toughest times. Let me try to break it down.

  Prayer: Regardless of the situation, the power of prayer is the greatest thing you can give an individual going through a trial in life.

  Trust: We need to sense acceptance and value from others without judgment of our behaviors, feelings, reactions, displays of emotion, and lack of functioning; this includes confidential and consistent care through a crisis.

  Relational Support: We need the presence of people who are comfortable with silence, who are aware of our needs, and who are both consistent and dependable.

  Hope: We need encouragement from other people.  Their commitment to pray for us. We need their dependable and calming presence amidst our doubts, our coping techniques, our mood swings, our lack of control, and our familial demands. We need to see a ray of hope, a light at the end of the tunnel.

  Guidance: We need help developing new skills, healthy coping strategies, self-awareness, problem-solving skills, stress-management techniques, and the capacity to deal well with relational conflicts.

  Affirmation of strengths: We need others to possess a positive regard for our personal development and character formation.

Patience: We need time to cry, to be mad, to have a pity party, to let go of wishes and dreams, to express hardship and sorrow, and to adjust to our new normal of activity.

  Discovery of meaning and purpose in life: We need the opportunity to rebuild, restructure, reframe, and release life as it was before our crisis, so that we can live life as it is now.

  Your Time: This priceless act of selflessness is the only thing that you alone can give. Your time is a valuable thing to offer someone going through a trial. Something as simple as just being there may be all it takes to help someone get through their day.

  Next time you encounter someone who is struggling, ask God how He might use you to create a supportive environment where healing can happen.