Category: Encouragement

There are many times in our lives when we feel helpless. They can be directly or indirectly connected to us personally. Our nature is to try to fix a problem so that we can move past it. What happens when that problem is out of our control, not ours or it is connected to someone close to us? Situations can be so great they are on a national or global scale, or we can have a child who is going through a personal crisis. Every crisis can be great in their own situation. The Bible offers us a perspective that can be counter to our natural inclinations to take control or fix the problems ourselves. 

In the Book of Job we are given the example of Job’s friends. Job lost almost everything. Satan accused Job of loving God because of God’s favor and protection on his life. God allowed tragedy to touch Job’s life relationally and physically. When Job’s friends heard of the tragedies that Job endured they came together and mourned with him in silence. Job 2:12-13 says “When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. They sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.” 

Jesus also gave us an example of what to do when we have no control in a situation. He was about to be betrayed, arrested, tortured, and executed, and He asked three of His disciples to stay with Him and keep watch while He prayed. The disciples kept falling asleep. Matthew 26:40-41 says “Then (Jesus) returned to His disciples and found them asleep. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ He asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.'” Prayer is a powerful tool that God has given us during our trials and troubles. Jesus had the power to take away His own trials and sorrows, but He chose to endure them to the very end because of His great love for us. He knew that the sacrifice He was about to endure was great. Sin and death was defeated forever, and because of that we are reconciled with God.

Are you or someone you know going through a crisis? Do you feel helpless? Do you feel like you do not know what to say or do? You are not alone. Trials and troubles will always be with us. How we handle them when we feel helpless is crucial, and it can be hard too. Being present with others is so simple yet it is a great blessing. Not having words to say is ok, and sometimes the best thing we can do! And, praying is the one thing we can and should always do in every situation.