Sometimes in our effort to help or encourage others, we might come off as judgmental or condescending.  I’m guilty of this.  I often try to use examples in my life  for others who may be experiencing a similar problem.  Unfortunately everyone is different in how they perceive their problems – how they deal with them – and how they overcome them.  We each respond in different ways.

We really must be careful not to become a stumbling block for anyone, especially if they are just learning to depend on God’s purpose in their lives.  In trying to be of assistance, we may just be creating more difficult issues for them.

There’ss such a fine line and I think many of us, in our zeal to help or desire to encourage, might come off as uncaring and unsympathetic.  How could we possibly know what is going on in another person’s heart or mind?  We aren’t walking in their shoes.  We don’t know the deep inside pain they may be going through.  We may have had similar experiences, but we are not them.

As a compassionate person, I often find myself in a position of wanting to fix everyone’s life for them.  I don’t like seeing people hurting because of a physical ailment or an emotional issue.  Jesus told His followers to care for others and carry each other’s burdens, but only He can see what is really going on in their lives and repair the brokenness.

Lord, I know that I can’t save the world.  You are the only One capable of that and you’ve already done it.  Help me to find the right words to encourage and lift up and may my words always coincide with what you have to say.  Make me an instrument of your Word.  Amen!