Ministering To The Wounded.

[Scott Hutchinson]

No one ever said life is fair.And there are those all around for whatever are wounded and crippled emotionally ,you know the family that has lost a child say due to being hit by a drunken driver,or a person whose marriage just ended because their spouse decided they would rather be gay,or the mother who has a child who is Autistic and is 15 and has never uttered a word.

How can we as believer effectively minister to people whose world seemily has ended ? What we can say or what can do do to help pour balm in the wounds of those wounded people we face everyday ?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

No one ever said life is fair.And there are those all around for whatever are wounded and crippled emotionally ,you know the family that has lost a child say due to being hit by a drunken driver,or a person whose marriage just ended because their spouse decided they would rather be gay,or the mother who has a child who is Autistic and is 15 and has never uttered a word.

How can we as believer effectively minister to people whose world seemily has ended ? What we can say or what can do do to help pour balm in the wounds of those wounded people we face everyday ?

Very good question.

I’ll share what I think; I don’t think there is any one answer. So I pray others contribute their thoughts.

First I think we need to pray for them regularly.

Second, establish a real relationship. Not just the “meet & greet” catching up we do on church service nights. Sometimes people keep the hurting at arm’s length. Just be there and be a friend. Let them vent, cry, or blame…whatever they feel they need. Don’t be a “bible answer man” with a verse for every occasion. Don’t invalidate their feelings, whatever they might be. Pray for them. Pray, pray, pray. Encourage them by having faith that they will make it through and assuring them that you’re by their side.

Thirdly, after a relationship is established, I’d seek to “help” them. Find out where their needs are. If they need a special chair that they can’t afford…maybe you and a couple brothers or sisters can put some money together and purchase it. If they are depressed, maybe getting together and offering to help with yard work or house work can help. Find what the need is… and actually help.

Those are just a few initial thoughts.

God bless.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Thanks.Also too many non -christians face these situations how can we witness Christ to them effectively ?

[missourimary]

Christian or non-Christian, listen to them. Pray for them. Cry with them. Take them a meal. Be there for them. People in these situations don't need pat answers. There are none. They need people who are willing to encourage them when possible and just listen without judgment or repulsion-either at their situation, the drunk driver or whoever for their actions, or them for their emotions.

It's hard. We want to step in and "fix" everything. But sometimes the only way to "fix" it is to let the wound heal... a little balm of kindness goes a lot farther in those times than any words ever will.