” And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none” (Ezekiel 22:30).
My concept of encouragement is to help people discover the pitfalls in their lives and show them what to do about it. Otherwise, I’m trying–somewhat futilely–through good words and an emotional ‘zapping,’ to get people up and moving who are struggling with every step they take.
When I was ill, part of the therapy I received was chemotherapy. The particular chemo I had was intended to destroy the white blood cells to give my kidneys an opportunity to rejuvenate and to heal. (Dead white blood cells were clogging the tiny arteries of my kidneys–a typical symptom of the disease). The chemo was indiscriminate, killing my hemoglobin along with my white blood cells. My hemoglobin became so low that they had to give me a transfusion at one point to try to raise it. Because it was so low, I couldn’t function. I was so weak I could hardly get out of my chair.
Well-meaning people encouraged me to do all kinds of things, including starting a walking regimen, believing it would rebuild by strength. In spite of their well-meaning suggestions, what they suggested was impossible. My inability to walk and lack of strength were not due to a lack lack of resolve but rather due to other factors.
When that problem was finally addressed (by my receiving very expensive Hormone shots to rebuild my hemoglobin) my strength started coming back and then I could walk and do these other things
Many try to encourage people who are experiencing a deprivation of spiritual ‘hemoglobin’ into activity by using all kinds of motivational devices (rationalizations, emotional underpinning, etc.). This is predicated on the belief that if we can say just the right thing they will be able to get up and go on with their lives and ministries. It won’t work. There is always a reason why they can’t or won’t function as they could or should. Our role is to be wise, perceptive and loving enough to discover precisely what went wrong in their past and to be equipped enough to do something about it. The issues of the past are always the culprits no matter how recent were the things that went wrong in their thinking.
One’s past inevitably controls his perception of the present and his expectations about the future. The problems people have are not the troubles they face. Their problems lie in their thinking, not in their performance or circumstances. Their problematic thinking is always a product of their belief system. As circumstances and encounters occur that negatively impact a person, his perceptions of what happened, coupled with the memory of the offense associated with it, modify (sometimes subtly) his system of beliefs. His beliefs control what he thinks and what he thinks control his attitudes and actions. Consequently, a person who has previously been active and vital, will begin a spiritual slump and slide that progressively takes him to the bottom.
To offer encouragement alone, is simply not enough. There is always a deeper reason for the way people are and what they have become. Our work as believers is to help them discover what it is in their lives that contribute to their spiritual lethargy. There are several components required if one is to be of help, among which are:
1. Getting involved. All too often we ‘write people off,’ being somewhat judgmental concerning their attitudes, motivations and even their love for Christ, when they don’t perform as we think they should. It takes compassion and courage to get involved with people with the intent to help them get freedom. One should be cautious that he doesn’t take on himself the same spiritual virus infecting the one he is trying to help.
2. Offering help, not platitudes. So many of the motivational systems connected with the kingdom involve platitudes that have little or no permanent impact in one’s life. The remarks of Jeremish when he castigated the prophets of Jerusalem typify such platitudes: ‘They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace’ (Jeremiah 6:14). I call platitudes ‘Band-Aid’ solutions. They need help in the form of Godly solutions–not platitudes!
3. Standing in the gap for them. God spoke through Ezekiel saying: ‘I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me the land’ (Ezekiel 22:30). The gap was a breach in the defenses of a city. Often the citizens of a city would plant a thick hedge of thorny bushes around the city for protection. When a section of the hedge died out or was taken out, it left a gap (a breach) through with the enemy could gain access to the city. God was looking for people who would ‘stand in the gap to protect the city while he rebuilt the hedge.
God is looking for people who will stand in intercessory prayer in behalf of others who are struggling with their lives and commitments. These people–who stand in the gap–are called ‘The repairer of the breach’ in Isaiah 58:12.
4. Loving them through their problems. I have had more than one person to express appreciation for the fact that I didn’t give up on them. Sometimes it is hard to persevere in love when the people we deal with aren’t always necessarily lovable. To love like this is to have the Jesus kind of love–not the ‘because of’ or ‘if’ kind of love. His kind of love was the ‘in spite kind of love.’ Aren’t we glad He has loved us through the rough points of our lives with His kind of love?
5. Being discerning. One of the manifestations of the holy Spirit is the ability He gives to discern that which is in the heart of another. The reason for such discernment is to enable us to pierce the darkness of one’s heart, helping to bring to the surface the struggles that must be addressed. A caution: don’t mistake judgmentalism for discernment.
6. Being equipped to help them. Nothing is so defeating as to try to help a person when we don’t know what to do or how to do it. Equipping for specific and direct personal ministry must not be an option for a church and its believers–it is a must! Samuel asked: ‘What meaneth then, this bleating of the sheep in mine ears’ (1 Samuel 15:14)? It is the secret heart-cry of God’s people saying, ‘See me, hear me, help me, I hurt!’ We are surrounded by such cries.
God grant us the ears, the heart and the compassion to do the work of the ministry.
Jeff
Copyright 2010 Norma R. Floyd. All rights reserved.
