FEELING HELPLESS

This morning I have so many things running through my mind. I know I wanted to talk about the devastation that has happened in Houston and the surrounding areas but I just can’t seem to narrow my focus. In the wake of a disaster, everything I can say seems inadequate. When someone is hurting, words seem shallow.

I watched a news clip where this reporter was covering the disaster and she asked a woman a question. The woman was in pain and shock. She had her children with her and she lashed out in anger at the reporter. She kept saying something in the nature of, “Why are you sticking that microphone in my face? Can’t you see that I’ve lost everything? My children are hungry and you are sticking a microphone in my face, why?” Frustration, anger, helplessness. All of those things were evident in her outburst.

We have all been there. I have been in both of these ladies shoes and I am sure you have too. I have witnessed someone in pain and I have been that someone in pain. How can you adequately express how bad you feel when a friend has lost her house in a fire? What words can comfort someone who has just found out that they have cancer? When everything that someone has worked for their entire life is flooded and they feel helpless, what can you do?

Prayer. I think that sometimes people say that they are praying and that we have become almost immune to hearing that. I see all the time that someone puts up a post of loss or hurt and then you will see lots and lots of people commenting, “praying.” That is wonderful but do you really take time to pray or just to type the message. I have tried to adopt the habit of stopping what I am doing and say a small prayer right then because if I don’t then I might get busy and forget.

Action. I think we should always say a prayer for those in need but there are times when we should go a step further. It is not always possible but when we have the opportunity then we should follow our prayer by an action. When someone has lost their house then we can try to provide clothing or something else that they might need. If we know someone who has lost someone close to them then maybe we could provide a meal for them. If someone is going through a sickness then maybe we can offer to help clean their house or do errands. There are so many tiny little things we can do to show that we care. In the case of the hurricane victims, my action is coming in the form of a donation. I don’t know anyone personally but I can still try to help in a small way.

Comfort. There are many times when there is nothing you can say or do that will help. In those time, a hug or just being there can help. In times of hurt maybe a person needs to know that someone cares, that they have a shoulder to lean on. When we have lost something or someone a natural response is fear and anger. Hold your friend, listen to your friend, empathize with your friend, and say a prayer with your friend. Remind them that the Lord is with them and has not forsaken them.

Psalm 50:15  And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

I often feel so inadequate and I feel that saying, “I am so sorry for your loss” is not enough. In those times we need to remember to pray and to remember that the Lord has a plan. And while we can not even begin to imagine how heartbreak and loss can be a part of His plan, we are to trust in Him and in His ways.

Have A Blessed Sunday!

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