The Weekly Encourager - February 4, 2012 - How to Help: Practical

This is part 2 of a 3-part series:

HOW TO HELP THOSE WITH CANCER OR OTHER SERIOUS ILLNESS

PRACTICAL HELP

What practical things can we do to help a person in need? First, talk to God all you want, but watch how you talk to other people. Don't assume, but ask if the sick person wishes her condition to be made known to all your mutual friends. Some people are glad for others to know; some prefer to keep it private. Respect that.

The second thing is also from my own experience: Only volunteer to help someone else after you have cared for your own family and yourself properly. In the long run, it doesn't help people or honor God to neglect yourself and those for whom God has given you direct responsibility. Seek God's approval first, not man's.

Now let's get to some verses from Scripture and their practical outworking in the life of the Ferratts. [Italics and capitals by Laura.]

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus". Philippians 4:20

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends ALL UNDERSTANDING will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". Philippians 4:4-7

Laura wrote, “ I have always loved these verses, but let me tell you, the truths contained in these passages are vibrantly coming alive for me during this season in our lives. I wanted to share with you some of the ways Christ is proving Himself ALL SUFFICIENT to me and to our family these past few weeks and months since Brion was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant paraganglioma.

“Though we are weak, and our bodies are racked with disease, He is strong. Though I am tempted to be sad and overwhelmed with grief at the loss of the "normal" life we had even a year ago, as a couple and family, Christ is showing me His tender love and how He fulfills every requirement and need as husband and father. For physical needs, we lack nothing. Our church and family have actively met every single need we have thought of to date----for example, my brother in law, Bruce, totally reorganized our garage when he was here in January, and now we can get both vehicles in there with no problem. A friend from church, Brandt, came over and helped Brion to install a garage door opener on the second door, so we wouldn't have to go over and lift it manually, and we can park the Nissan in the garage when bad weather hits. Danny has come over to edge and mow our yard. Folks have brought us delicious meals that fill our stomachs with sustenance, and hearts with love. Yesterday, without my even asking, two of my friends brought meals for us and our refrigerator is totally full of great food. So many others have sent gift certificates, and the session at our church gave Brion a Kindle so that he could have something to read while waiting in doctors offices, and he wouldn't have to lug a big bag of books around MDACC. See, how faithful and beautiful the Body of Christ is? ”

Isn't that encouraging? Other practical ways to help include grocery shopping, child care, house cleaning, yard work, transportation to medical appointments, picking up prescriptions, doing laundry, washing dishes, washing the sick person's hair or taking her out for a haircut, lending books/ music/ movies to the home-bound, running errands, walking the dog, or washing the car. Sometimes the person will need financial assistance, help paying bills, or help with insurance paperwork. One person can organize all the other volunteers so things happen on a regular schedule and the sick person won't have to keep track of who's coming when. It often helps to have one person be the buffer zone, so the sick person doesn't wear out explaining the same things over and over. Almost everyone can do something, and many hands make light work.

Jesus said the one who wishes to be greatest must be the servant of all, so go forth in loving service knowing that you are sharing the very character of Christ.

God is faithful,