When you see another person struggling, is your tendency to jump in and try to alleviate the hardship? After all, it seems kind, loving, and what a good Christian should do. However, could we be doing more harm than help by underestimating the importance of the struggle?
No one likes the battle, nor do we want to sit by and watch the people we care about grapple with challenges. However, what if there is a purpose, and when we jump in too quickly, it thwarts someone else’s growth and potential?
Last week Barbara Harper wrote an insightful post about the importance of the struggle. As she described the butterfly, it reminded me the striving has a purpose not only in my life but also in others’ lives. Many times I rush in to rescue as if I am the savior. And lord knows they need the real Jesus, not me.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19-20 NIV
Often, we choose what is best in the short term without considering what is most beneficial in the seasons to follow. Sometimes, validating and sitting in the struggle without trying to fix it is the most loving action possible. Oh, but of course the hardest. The key here is listening to God’s voice. He will let us know when it is time to step in and offer help, and when we need to step back and watch the importance of the struggle unfold.
“Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.”
Featured Post
Today our featured post is from Barbara Harper. You won’t want to miss her wisdom. All too often, we try to avoid or rush through the trials in life. She does a fantastic job of steering us in God’s direction and leaves us to recognize the importance of the struggle.
“The Struggle Is Real”
By Barbara Harper
Click here to read
Our featured post today, on Grace & Truth Link-Up, is written by Barbara Harper - The Struggle is Real. Click To Tweet.
Do You Underestimate the Importance of the Struggle? Will you share with us a few blessings that have come from one of your struggles?
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There’s a fine line between enabling and helping, isn’t there? Thank you for hosting the link-up!
Yes, there certainly is a fine line between enabling and helping. And I seem to blur it all too often. But I am learning. Thank you for joining us. Maree
I so enjoyed Barbara’s post! I tell my boys that God’s not like their mama – He doesn’t burst in uninvited to help them in their challenges. He waits to be asked! With some of my sons, it’s so easy to be hands off and hands-up – but for others, it’s a huge challenge – it’s so hard watching ones you love learn the hard way! Yet, it’s in those hard challenges where I learned so much about our Father – and where relationship was built between us! Hands off and Hands up – God can help so much better than I can.
Maryleigh, You made my day. I love that Hands off and Hands up. You are so right. God can help so much better than me. I love what you are teaching your boys. Maree
I’m an Enneagram Two–The Helper. My default is to help others because ultimately it provides joy and worth. I forget that helping in all situations is not always the answer. Thank you for this reminder today.
Mary,
I have never done the Enneagram, but I have no doubt I would be a helper. I struggle with when to step back. However, this week I observed when I did step back, someone else had the opportunity to step forward. It was amazing growth for all of us. I am so glad you stopped by. Maree
I appreciate Barbara’s post too. I admit I’m a little tired of struggling in 2020, so it is encouraging to be reminded that it can serve an important use.
It has been quite a year. Even though the struggle can serve a purpose, I am praying next year is better. Maree
Thanks so much for hosting!
You are so welcome. I am glad you joined us. Maree
I know what you mean by rushing in & not praying before hand in what God wants us to do in another’s situation.
God has a theme going Maree!
My post this week is;
Are you struggling my friend?
https://teawithjennifer.blog/2020/10/08/are-you-struggling-my-friend/
Thank you, blessings
Jennifer
Yes, he does. I just finished reading your post it was excellent. Hopefully my comment went through. I am on my iPad and having a little trouble. Maree
Thank you for sharing my post, Maree. I hadn’t thought of watching other people struggle when I wrote it, but that is indeed one of the hardest things. When our children or siblings struggle, the first instinct is to jump in and relieve them. But that might be short-circuiting what God is trying to teach them. I’ve even read missionary blog posts saying that sometimes the American church wants to help indigenous churches in unhealthy ways. How we need God’s wisdom to know when and how to help and when to wait.
Barbara,
When I went on my very first mission trip, it was an eye-opener. Compared to the people we were helping, we had an abundance. I wanted to give them all I had. However, one of the rules we had committed to before we left was not bringing items to pass out. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why. However, as the trip progressed, and I returned as a leader, I began to understand. Sometimes when we hand out stuff, that becomes the main focus. But our mission was to build them a church and a school and relationships with the people in this small village. We were there to support the pastor who would carry on after we left with something lasting.
Thank you for your insightful post. You have no idea how much it helped me this week.
Maree