An important part of loving others is being there for them when they are going through tough times. God designed us to live in community and to help each other out. The Bible says, ‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.’ We should be aiming to help people cope and grow through the situation they’re facing. One way we can do this is by encouraging them to talk about things, giving a different perspective, and offering hope. We can ask God to give us the words to say and to show us His promises throughout the Bible which we can share with others. If we’re people who like to fix situations, or easily feel responsible for others, it can be tricky to ‘carry each other’s burdens’ without taking on too much, feeling under pressure, and burning out. It’s only God who can truly fix people’s problems, so we can help people by reminding them that God’s always there to help them. When we’re going through a crisis, we can focus too much on the problem and not enough on God. In Psalm 121 it says, ‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth’ (vv.1-2 NIV). We can remind people to lift their eyes to God. It’s also important to continue caring for the person when the immediate crisis is over. Just because an illness has healed, a funeral has finished, or the person appears to be coping better, doesn’t mean that they no longer need our support and love. Loving others is so much more than just being there through their tough times, it’s supporting them through life.

What Now?

Do you know someone at your church who is going through a difficult time? Ask God to show you one of His promises in the Bible, and then send it to them.