"How are you doing?" you ask. There's a pause before the reply. "You don't really want to know." The eyes look down. The body language says, "If you turn and walk away, I won't blame you."
Often we're unprepared for this golden moment, thrown off balance by the answer. We must pre-think our response to that situation.
Response #1: "Want to talk about it?" Listen to understand, not to advise. We usually need acceptance and understanding more than advice.
#2: A loving hug or pat on the shoulder. "Love is . . . capable of healing broken minds, bodies and spirits. The touch is the vehicle by which love can be conveyed" (John Hornbrook, The Miracle of Touching [Lafayette, LA: Huntington House, 1985]: 27-28).
#3: "Could we pray about it right now?" This shows you care and points to the ultimate Strength. "In everything . . . present your requests to God, and the peace of God . . . will keep you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7).
#4: "Maybe you can't talk now. Can I call you later?" Some problems can be shared only in private -- the hurt is too deep or the problem too personal. Respect for privacy might provide a chance to serve otherwise unavailable.
None of these responses takes very long, but they say loud and clear, "I care about you and what you're going through." They are ways we can "bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2).
Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.
Go to his DeeperStudy.com for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."
Journaling is a powerful tool that can enhance our lives... Read More
The first few hours in this world, when we as... Read More
Are you looking for the meaning of life?You work all... Read More
The old familiar adages just don't do it for me... Read More
Laws of the Attraction notwithstanding, there are several external ways... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 2,... Read More
(Excerpted From Cultivating An Unshakable Character)For a leader, honesty and... Read More
I bought this computer just over two years ago with... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 1,... Read More
Fear. What is it? Can you touch it? Can you... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 28,... Read More
I wrote about my life and all that I have... Read More
My perception is that universe infinitely blesses us every moment.... Read More
In Corrogue I am amazedI rise by the light of... Read More
I walked out of his office inspired. All I could... Read More
Poverty can sometimes only be a state of mind, based... Read More
Have you always wanted to do invent something, create something,... Read More
There is a Chinese proverb that says, "A journey of... Read More
If you suffer from a nagging feeling of "there must... Read More
Each moment in life, "lucky" or "unlucky", is to be... Read More
Most of us believe that our happiness and security are... Read More
God has created human beings to live successfully. He has... Read More
We have just inherited a rag, tag and bobtail of... Read More
When disorder comes into our lives, we obviously aren't paying... Read More
Peril, catastrophe and disaster.These are our friends, allies and mentors.Appearing... Read More
A near middle-aged man in one of my last workshops... Read More
Researchers are seeking to identify how dolphins communicate. Unfortunately it... Read More
"You cannot control what happens to you, but you can... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 5,... Read More
The other day I found myself frustrated with the slow... Read More
I am sitting before a window of morning light "losing... Read More
One of my long time best friends called me the... Read More
Unfortunately, most people fail to plan until it is too... Read More
Not long after the beginning a being fell from the... Read More
Chances are you have seen some type of disturbance in... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 16,... Read More
(excerpted from the New Jim Rohn Weekend Event DVD/CD series)Is... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 24,... Read More
Here's a simple parable with an important moral.Each mirror, you... Read More
Ever read a book that's changed your life? Most of... Read More
Today more than ever before, we are witnessing a crises... Read More
Have you ever sat down to watch the evening news... Read More
There is one sure fire medicine that cures all difficulty... Read More
Do what you love to do and give it your... Read More
A man is known by the company he keeps. We... Read More
People have a tendency of anticipating pending change on the... Read More
I'm a pretty competitive guy, though I try to keep... Read More
At the time I created my web site, I was... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 16,... Read More
Researchers are seeking to identify how dolphins communicate. Unfortunately it... Read More
The good part of this story is that there is... Read More
The true test in life does not occur when all... Read More
I. ExpositionIn the movie "Shattered" (1991), Dan Merrick survives an... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of January 12,... Read More
Confident Expectation! The feeling of 'confidence' is the assurance that... Read More
Notes are very powerful. They express your thanks, encouragement, sympathy,... Read More
Give people more than they expect and do it... Read More
I stared into those biggest of navy blue eyes and... Read More
When was the last time you smiled at a stranger?When... Read More
All of us are resistant to change, whether it's in... Read More
We must shape the future and control our destiny.When we... Read More
I am not going to tell you the story of... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 30,... Read More
It is fun to watch movies of those with super... Read More
One of the keys to being successful in anything you... Read More
I have never been fond of white-water rafting, probably because... Read More
Inspirational |