Have you ever been in a situation where you really wanted to help someone? Perhaps, you didn’t know quite what to do. Today we discuss nine ways to help someone.
If you’re reading this, you likely have a tender heart and care about helping other people in our broken world. I want to affirm this desire in you. In fact, you remind me of Jesus. So, read on for helpful tips. And keep your heart in this admirable place.
To Help Someone, You Need Resources
When you want to help someone, it’s critical to have resources and ideas how to best help. With that in mind, consider today’s ideas. Afterall, when a need arises, your best assistance flows out of already having contemplated how to help.
Before we look at the nine ways to help someone, there are basics to consider. These elements are preliminary. Actually, they have more to do with your perspective going into a “help” situation.
Preliminary Considerations
First, to be effective when offering help, you need to be practical. If your help isn’t practical, it’s not really help.
Next, it helps to know what exactly the person needs. Often, the easiest way to find this out is to simply ask them. Another way to find out is to connect with someone who already has that information.
Ultimately, your help is most credible (believable) when you have a compassionate heart and respect for that person. For example, just “being there” for that person is important. Caring. Offering comfort. An arm around someone. Good eye contact. Willing to talk about what is hard for that person – and not be afraid.
Finally, being able to use action points from Scripture. Afterall, “helping” is basically giving Jesus to that person. Interestingly, even if it doesn’t sound like Scripture – i.e. “chapter and verse,” it’s the underlying principle that helps. Often, this comes after engaging the previous basic ideas.
So, in summary –
- Be practical.
- Know what the person needs.
- Have a compassionate heart and respect.
- Engage action points from Scripture.
9 Ways to Help Someone
Amazingly, Jesus excels in all these basic elements as He helps someone. His perspective is impeccable. A picture of courage, He’s never afraid. Plus, He’s never too busy. Also, He’s creative and genuine. So, if you want to respond like Jesus, follow these steps.
Interestingly, they are divided into categories.
Steps 1 – 3: The Prep Steps
1. The first step is to humble yourself before the Lord. He will lift you up into helping someone. (Jas. 4:10) Remember, Jesus is the one able to lift people up and out of difficult places. Additionally, He’s the one who knows how to start them on a better path.
Still, you are His hands and feet. Afterall, “I am in the Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.” (Jn. 14:20) With Jesus in you, let Him work in and through you to help someone. He provides you with whatever you need to help someone.
Part of being humble is to think soberly about yourself. (Rom. 12:3) Further, don’t be wise in your own eyes. (Prov. 3:7)
2. Next, pause to pray. Ask God to open your eyes and heart. Tell Him – “What do You see? What would You like me to say or do? Would you show me what this person needs from You? What do You want to teach me through this?”
3. Finally, contemplate how to show the love and heart of God to this person. This should be primary before you even connect with your person.
Steps 4 – 6: Active Engagement Steps
4.
Now, it’s time to add – be gentle. People respond to gentleness. It has a certain kind of power. “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Phil. 4:5) Incidentally, this verse suggests your gentleness prepares for Christ’s intervention through you. Frankly, your best representation of the “Gentle Christ” is when you practice gentleness. So, suit up as you go into action.
5. By all means, you need to be kind. There is no meanness in the heart of Jesus. Since you are His child and representative, there should be no meanness in you. Scripture proclaims God’s kindness and love. (Tit. 3:4-5) Subsequently, be kind in what you think, say, and do.
6. Another step is to creatively explore “how to help” using tools and options. Actively engage questions like these –
- How can I help this person?
- What resources can I engage?
- If I don’t have resources needed, who can I ask? Where can I tap into resources?
- How can I carry their burdens without them becoming my burden?
- Creatively, how can I color outside the lines to meet their need? Always, remember to be practical.
- Is there any other person I should “tap” to become involved?
Steps 7 – 8: The Protect Steps
7. Guard yourself – especially against pride. It doesn’t take much to slip into pride. Be alert and watchful. As you help someone, wisely guard your heart. Unfortunately, as you provide assistance, you can end up entangled or unexpectedly incapacitated. Prayerfully, guard yourself. Ask God for wisdom.
8. Don’t compare. Several things come to mind here. Comparing never ends well. So, refrain from it.
- Stay free from owning (taking on) the issue(s) of the person you are helping. Comparing your and their scenarios can muddy your help.
- Refrain from committing to more than God has in mind. Thinking – “the buck stops with me” lifts you to a place only God deserves. You are His servant and partner. Additionally, your “over commitment” can cheat another person out of an opportunity to help.
- Also, don’t compare yourself to the person who needs help. Interestingly, this can lead to poor self-image (in them or you), self-pity, or pride. Essentially, focus on Scriptural principles. More on this next.
Step 9: The Best and Most Valuable Step
9. Give your person Scripture. God’s Word is Alive and Active. Scripture can “carry the heavy.” Further, is written that way. Basically, it’s exceedingly helpful because it –
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- encourages,
- teaches,
- corrects,
- rebukes,
- protects,
- trains,
- comforts.
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Truthfully, your person needs God’s words more than your words. Again, use Scripture in practical ways. At the same time – no “Bible thumping” allowed. Just speak from your heart in a way that represents Christ’s character and spirit.
Scripture has power. It is “God on paper.” It heals hearts, memories, and motives. This helps a person move forward. Plus, Scripture guides. Help your person connect to Jesus and depend on Him through Scripture.
Having said all this, show them how to –
- Use their Bible.
- Claim promises.
- Apply God’s principles.
This may mean future connection in some way. Logically, there may be sacrificial modeling required. So, apply Scriptures commands, promises, and action points yourself!
In Review, Nine Ways to Help
- The “Prep Steps” –
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- Step #1 – Humble yourself.
- Step #2 – Pause to pray.
- Step #3 – Contemplate how to show the love and heart of God.
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- The “Active Engagement Steps” –
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- Step #4 – Be gentle.
- Step #5 – Be kind.
- Step #6 – Creatively explore “how to help” using tools and options. (be practical)
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- The “Protect Steps” –
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- Step #7 – Guard yourself, especially against pride.
- Step #8 – Don’t compare.
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- In its own category – Step #9 (the most important) – Give your person Scripture.
Listen To God’s Spirit
God knows what you need to help someone. He will guide you. “You will hear a voice behind you, saying – ‘This is the way. Walk in it.'” (Is. 30:21)
Remember, Jesus, Himself, said – “I do nothing on My own, but speak just what the Father has taught Me.” (Jn. 8:28) Depend on God – to help someone – like Jesus modeled.
So, listen to His Spirit at each step.
Application Thoughts And Questions
Who needs your help today?- Have you ever struggled to know how to help someone?
- How will you apply these resources and ideas as you pray about helping?
- Did you know it aids your investment to help – by developing action steps? Put pen to paper – or use your device – as you develop steps and consider how God wants you to be His hands and feet.
- As you consider helping someone, do you remember these perspectives?
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- Be practical.
- Know what the person needs.
- Have a compassionate heart and respect.
- Engage action points from Scripture.
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- Of these nine ways to help someone, which do you need to work more on?
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- Humble yourself.
- Pause to pray.
- Contemplate how to show the love and heart of God.
- Be gentle.
- Be kind.
- Creatively explore “how to help” using tools and options.
- Guard yourself, especially against pride.
- Don’t compare.
- Give your person Scripture.
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- Of these nine, which do you carry out well? Identify them.
- Do you listen to God’s voice as He whispers in your ear, giving you guidance and wisdom?
- Jesus says He does not say or do anything on His own – but only what Father tells Him to. Is this how you approach helping someone?
- Do you need help, yourself, from someone? If so, first connect with Jesus. Then, be pro-active in seeking help.
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