How do you give other encouragement when...

[WrtrsTeardrop]

How do you give encouragement to others, when you can barely help yourself?  I mean through depression it's hard to give encouragement to others and lift others up when you can barely hold up your own head.  But I feel God leading me to lifting others up and it's so hard.  Especially when you aren't getting encouragement from the ones who matter most.  Just wondering if anyone has any insight.

In Him, Angi

 

[OracleX]

I think about this sort of thing every time that I counsel some one.

Sometimes those who struggle are the best to help those who struggle. Other times those who have had victory are the best to help those who struggle. And even still there are time when those who have not experienced a particular struggle are best to help those who struggle.

I hope that makes sense. Basically it depends on the person and what they need and what kind of help they are looking for. If they are looking for advice on how to get out of a situation, then someone who has been there and done that may be the best. Although one who is struggling and making progress has much to contribute too. You really need to take each situation seperatly and evaluate what your effectiveness would be (realilistcaly). You may feel that you can't say something that would be helpful but you can pray for them that God will help them and that someone else will be sent. There are many times that I will pray but not offer to get involved.

The other side to being one who struggles wanting to help someone else who struggles is this. In order to help the other person you have to read and study Gods Word and pray about it. In searching for an answer for the other person, you will find your own answers.

In the end it is God that will heal them and we are His instruments. If God is using His intrument to help someone then great - just make sure it is God and not you.

Just a warning tho. In helping others who are struggling you will need to pray for them and depending on how close you are too them, it will be come emotionly drawing on you. If you are finding yourself low, you could make things harder for yourself by trying to help someone else.

Hope this helps.

 

[OracleX]

BTW you can always give them the Word. Doesn't matter what you are going through, scriptures of hope, promise and encouragement can be used by God. It is His Word, His guide for us and it will stear us out of any of lifes many struggles.

 

[MsAnne]

Angi - You're so very young to feel such discouragement. I will be praying.

I have found that as much as I may hurt at times, God just doesn't let me wallow in that very long. He always seems to bring someone into my life that is hurting more. I have no choice but to encourage them. And as I do, amazing, but I take the focus off myself.

 

[vibrant]

imagine "a woman is hurrying to get home so she's taking a route through a park. both her arms are laddened down with groceries, her appeareance is slightly dishievelled from a long day's work, and she had to be at home 5 mins ago to make dinner for her kids. she's anxious, impatient, upset, tired... and the last thing she wants to do is stop and smell the roses. alas, an item falls from one of her grocery bags (brown paper type) so she has to stoop down to reach it, and in doing so stops to smell the roses... because a rose bush is right there. she sniffs, her shoulders relax, and a smile spreads acorss her face"

lovely commercial with a great analogy for your dilemma. you might feel overburdened with the load you have to carry, and feel so stressed out about where you're coming from and where you have to be so much so that you think you're incapable of stopping to help others. but you're human. even when you feel down and out, you can still reach out to others. once you do, while the burden of your life is still there, it doesn't feel as heavy or as urgent... it's the - i can put my load down and rest a while/dinner can wait five minutes - sort of thing. then you will feel even more strength to help others and deal with your own situation.

my $0.02

 

[GodOwnsMe]

giving encouragement to others actually often helps me myself big big time...I know there were times it was tough..... but hey there's always hope with God, a lil , or God please help this person prayer, God loves you can do so much !!
God Bless you sista !!!!

 

[Athlon4all]

Rely on the Holy Spirit, let God do the talking. Thats when you do the best ministering, no matter what you're dealing with at the time.

 

[LittleLauraLost]

Angi, I think you are fantastic the way you encourage others when you are in despair yourself. You have so much experience on your young shoulders to offer other people and I really admire you, I know I couldn't do it when I'm depressed. Keep drawing on the Lord for strength and keep up the good work you do and I hope you soon pick up yourself.
I am praying for you
Love Laura

 

[Mr.Cheese]

Sometimes it helps when you can go through something along with someone else. I had a rough summer last year along with someone else (you know who you are!) and it was a nice feeling to know that you're not alone. So even though you're in a low spot right now you are still quite able to be there for people.

 

[kimber1]

My input on this and especially in browsing through this forum is that sometimes when you focus on someone elses problems it makes yours seem not as bad. I know I have problems inmy own life but there are so many more that are in so mcuh worse a spot than me. It makes me thankful for what I DO have going right!! Keep your chin up!!

 

[speechless]

It's possible, believe me. People who have problems relate to others who may have even bigger problems. It's comforting to know someone else has been down the same road you're on, but you can provide each other consolation and comfort to get you through the hardest of days.