Receptivity to Care

Most of us are much more open to idea of giving care than to receiving it. When a person is giving care, they are in a position of strength, stability, and authority. However, when we are receiving care, we are often acknowledging our weakness, insecurity, or vulnerability.

As a result, there are countless people today who choose to tough it out on their own even though they would benefit from a Christian friend who would listen and care for them. These are the strong silent types, or the ones who wear a smile across a face that is holding back a flood of tears. Society encourages (particularly for men) to handle our pain, our loneliness on our own. To ask for help is to admit weakness. To show weakness is to admit inferiority.

But God did not create us to be independent. We were created to be interdependent. God's Word is clear on this all the way back to Genesis: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him" (Genesis 2:18). The New Testament underscores this theme with more than 50 verses that contain the words "one another." These verses include admonitions such as "love one another," "encourage one another," "build up one another," and "pray for one another."

What these verses don't say is that we are only to love, encourage, build up, and pray for other people. The "one another" wording of this theme gives these words a reciprocal meaning. It tells us that we are also to allow other people to love, encourage, build up, and pray for us!

It is often difficult for people to ask for help. Whether it is because of guilt, shame, inadequacy, or fear of rejection, many would prefer to suffer alone than risk asking for help.

But suffering alone is not God's intent for us. Jesus promises, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). We can receive this promised rest when we turn to one another for comfort and help.

Our Stephen Ministers know all about receiving care. Many of them have been on the receiving end of care at an earlier point in their lives. That experience has often been a motivating factor in their undertaking the care giving ministry which Stephen Ministry epitomizes. They know first hand how difficult it is to ask for help, but they also know the great personal and spiritual growth and healing that follows. They know how to respond in a loving, caring, and non-judgmental manner. They are equipped, ready, and waiting to provide the comfort and care that God desires for you.

If you find yourself now or in the future facing difficulties in life, don't succumb to society's norm of remaining strong and suffering alone. Take the courageous step of seeking help. Open your heart to receiving God's love and grace through another person. Our Stephen Ministry offers the opportunity of a very confidential relationship with someone who will listen to you and provide you with the care and encouragement you need, while Christ works inside to bring rest to your weary, burdened heart.