How To Help Those In Need

On Monday, we heard about and then grieved the loss of life in Las Vegas. As of when I’m writing this, 59 people have died and 510 were injured. Of course, everyone there was affected. It’s hard to imagine.

There’s so much on my mind.

We can’t prevent every tragedy, but we can love well. So let’s let people know we care. We love. We like.

Make eye contact. Smile. Ask how they’re doing and care enough to listen to what they say. When people ask us, we can answer their questions.

We can offer comfort. Be present. We can listen. Sympathize. Empathize.

We can share. Talk. Ask. Tell stories.

We can see needs and help before being asked. We can let others help us.

Reach out. We can let others reach in to us.

We can look for the lonely and sit by them. Listen. Talk. Just be present.

We can comfort the hurting by listening. By offering support. Maybe by connecting them to those who can help.

We can “weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15) We don’t need to question or analyze their tears. Just share them.

We can hug and smile.

We can ask “How can I help?” instead of “Can I help?” We can keep asking “How can I help?” until they let us.

We can be careful to not share verses like “God is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18) unless we stay close, too. And, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) unless we welcome them to come to us, too.

Finally, in good times and bad, let’s be who we know we can be and let’s do what we can do.