Review, Rethink and Use Resources

There are times when things just don’t go the way we want them to go. We want to help others but we aren’t able to for whatever reason. When someone needs us to do something for them and we aren’t able to due to time, money or other obligations, we may have to turn them away.

Sometimes we may feel guilty about not being able to help and that is normal because we, as God’s children, should really want to help everyone. That is not possible; however, we can review and rethink the situation so we will know how to better handle it next time. We have many resources available to us and we need to remember we can use them to help someone we can’t help.

Luke 16:9 “I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.”

We may not be able to directly help them but we can put them in contact with someone who can. Our knowledge and abilities may not be what that person needs; however, we can make a few phone calls and find out who can help them. Directing them immediately to someone who can help will allow them to take care of the situation quickly and ease their minds.

We can look for the resource they may need next time that situation comes up. With the Internet, there is a vast amount of information at our fingertips where we can search for what they are looking for. The first search should be a Bible verse is relevant to the situation. Although we can’t help them solve their problem, we can share God’s word with them before we send them somewhere else.

The second search should be places where they can find the information such as organizations or websites. If we show them how to help themselves, they will be more able to handle the situation next time it comes up. When they learn to handle things by themselves, they become stronger and more confident.

After we have done all we are able to, we should review the events that occurred before they needed our help to determine how we can better plan ahead to help the next person who has a similar situation. Thinking about what we could do to prepare and taking those steps ahead of time will make us ready the next time.

We should have a strong desire to help when they have a problem or a need. That is not always a possibility due to our limited knowledge and experience. However, if we take time to review and rethink a situation where someone was in need and we weren’t able to help, the next time the opportunity to help arises; we can have a better plan in place.

Taking time to review and rethink these types of situations allows us to develop a strategy and we begin looking for opportunities to help in that area. It helps us to become a problem solver for others. It helps us to look for answers rather than problems. God wants us to be problem solvers. He wants us to help others find solutions and, more importantly, to find Him.

When we are able to assist others with their problems, it gives us more time to talk with them and to witness to them. It gives them an opportunity to see how to help others in God’s way. It gives God an opportunity to show His love and caring hand through us. Let’s look for ways to help others so we can give them a kind and encouraging word. Let’s look for opportunities to allow God to make a difference.

Ephesians 3:20 “Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.”