Be A Person Who Can See Past His Own Suffering To Care For Others

Luke 22:49-51 & Luke 23:42-43

God can make you a person who looks past yourself to help others even when you're the one who needs all the help.

Soul Food

“When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.”

– Luke 22:49-51 (NIV)

“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

– Luke 23:42,43 (NIV)

Soul Search

• Can you recall a time in your life when you were hurting or suffering in some way but you took the time to take care of, or address the needs of, someone else?
  Can you describe what happened?

• Can you recall a time when someone reached out to you when you were hurting or in need and you were aware – or later became aware – that that person was in need and going through difficulties themselves?

• How do you think a person can look past their own hurt and needs to meet the needs of others?

Soul Moves

• Constantly be looking for opportunities to help and meet the needs of others.
  Pay special attention to those times when you yourself are hurting or in need.
  Make it your goal to look past your own difficult circumstances to bless and help others.

• Ask God to help you overcome your own difficult situations by determining to let God use you to lift the load off others when you yourself are carrying heavy loads.

• Pray that God will teach you through your difficult times that He wants to use you to help others in order to take the focus off your problems and that you will learn to trust Him and grow more in your faith during those times.