Hurting People

God has really put a lot of hurting people in my life lately. I have friends who are dealing with chronic illnesses, undiagnosable illness, ungodly husbands, sexual immorality, job stresses, marital strife, depression, children out of control, and a later in life pregnancy. Then there are my residents at work who deal with illness, pain, no family, outliving their family members, suicidal thoughts, anger, and the list goes on. That's a lot of hurting people!

At times it makes me feel guilty for the life I have. I have been blessed and I've said that here before. It's not that my life has been perfect or ever will be perfect. The years that we were dealing with infertility were horrible. At the same time I had a job that I hated and looking for a new job scared me even more. I thought that I was literally going crazy during that time. I spent a lot of time crying and finally praying. I'll admit that I had thoughts of just driving my car off the road. As a Christian, I knew that wasn't the answer. If I could have only seen what God had waiting for me.

I know that God has put me in these people's lives for a reason. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I do not have to have solve their problems or have all the answers. They may just need a friend to cry with or lean on. Someone they can vent to. Someone who will listen without judging. Lately I've felt a real nudging to pray for people when they share their hurts with me. To pray right there and right then. I have had friends and my mom do that with me and wow. To hear someone praying to God with you and for your problems and on your behalf is awesome! Honestly I've felt that nudging many times to pray with someone. It's not comfortable the first few times you do it. I usually cry when I do because I'm such a sentimental sap and because I have such a burden for these hurting people. I've let people leave me without praying for them. This is an area that I really want to improve on and the only way to get better at something is to do it more often.

These struggles in life are all temporary. Oh do they feel like forever though when you are going through your day to day life. But God sees the big picture. And if you love God, there is hope.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." --Rom. 8:28

I believe God shows us many ways to "love" him in the Bible. It's not just saying "yeah, I love God". It's by laying our sins at his feet and asking for forgiveness, desiring to live like Christ, worshiping him, praising him, meeting with other believers, and studying the Bible.

I like helping people. That is the main reason I went into social work. ( I know, shocking news for all of you that thought I went into it for the money!) From a young age, my friends have been coming to me when they have a problem. I hope that it is because they see God in me or God's love through me.

I'm reading a great book right now called "A Woman's Secret to a Balanced Life: Finding God's Refreshing Priorities for You" By Lisa TerKeurst and Sharon Jaynes. The copy I have right now belongs to the church library, but I can't wait to get my own copy that I can highlight. There is a lot of good info in this book!