HOW NOT TO HELP PEOPLE

TOPIC: HOW NOT TO HELP PEOPLE
TEXT: LUKE 10:25-37

How should we go about helping others? It may be easier to list what we should not do to help those who are in problem than to specify what should be done. First, we must not belittle the problem. I know some goodhearted people who react to others’ troubles by looking puzzled and then saying, in effect, “I never had that problem.” Such an attitude implies, to the person who confesses the problem, “Since I never had that problem, you should not have it either; if you do, you must be either a bad person or a foolish person.” Whatever the problem is—though it may seem minor to others—it is a major concern to the one who has it.

Second, we should not assume or say, “I know how you feel.” Even if we have had similar experiences, people and circumstances differ. Since we have not had exactly the same experience, we cannot know exactly how someone else feels. Third, we should not—with rare exceptions—try to solve other people’s problems for them. Each individual must learn to overcome his or her own problems. We can perhaps give assistance or make it easier for a person to solve a particular problem, but we cannot solve it for him or her.

Fourth, we should not give unwanted advice, especially if we expect it to be followed. In trying to help someone with a problem, our natural tendency may be to tell people what to do. However, to do so will not be appreciated by the one we are trying to help. It will be far more effective if the hurting individual discovers the solution to his problems for himself. Our role may be to help him think of and examine possible solutions; then it will be his role to decide on what should be done and to do it. Fifth, we cannot assume that we are competent to deal with every problem that may arise. That’s why you need to have in your contact list different set of people who are professionals in one field or the other. An important part of helping others is recognizing our own limitations (Galatians 6:1, 2).

Word Affirmation: “And it shall turn to you for a testimony." - Luke 21:13 (Don't just say it, mean it!)

“People and circumstances differ"

Mind This