A Note from Kelly King: How do we love others? The same way we love the Lord—with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Deb Douglas finishes her series on Messy Heartaches in a Messy World, by reminding us of ways we can practically make this happen.
The question I get asked most frequently about wading into the messiness of the world is, “But what do I actually do to help in practical ways?” My answer: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and body, and love others likewise.” Look at how Jesus faced the heartaches of the messy world.
When we look at how Jesus ministered in the messy, we see He met physical needs when He fed the 5,000 and healed those who were sick and suffering. He met emotional heart needs when He listened to the woman at the well and woman accused of adultery. He ministered to the minds of the followers as He discipled them. He met the spiritual needs when He shared His love and His story, providing a gospel that would save them.
We translate what we learn from studying how Jesus ministered in the messy when we discover practical ways to help in this messy world:
Minister to the heart:
- Encourage.
- Share the story of someone who has survived.
- Check on her with texts, calls, and visits.
Minister to the soul:
- Use a small note card type spiral notebook. Write Scriptures on each card.
- Pray with hurting women. Enlist prayer warriors and prayer partners. (Be sure to obtain permission before recruiting others to pray. Confidentiality and trust are precious; take care to protect them.)
- Share the love of Christ.
Minister to the mind:
- Be prepared to refer to quality counseling.
- Be available to listen.
- What’s our first response when it’s our messy situation? We Google it. Unfortunately doing so presents too much information, much of which is not applicable or true. Research and study good resources for information on messy situations and be prepared with reliable information.
Minister to the body:
- Meet practical needs.
- Provide gift cards to restaurants, meals/a meal train, baskets of goodies, frozen casseroles, etc. Be sensitive to allergies! Be sure to include paper products.
- Supplying frozen casseroles to a family in the midst of messy heartache works great if done intentionally and thoughtfully.
- Label casseroles with name, ingredients, and cooking instructions.
- Portion casseroles for the number of family members.
- Place all food in disposable dishes!
- Shelter: Know resources for emergency housing in the community. Connect with housing authority officials in preparation for future needs.
- Transportation: Enlist volunteers willing to supply transportation in advance of a need. Transportation is needed for anyone going through chemotherapy or radiation, for homeless women, people living in poverty, and for others facing crisis.
- Supplying frozen casseroles to a family in the midst of messy heartache works great if done intentionally and thoughtfully.
A messy world means a world of heartaches. We can make a difference when we minister the way Jesus did, sharing His love with the broken, the hurting, and the messy. Practical help in the midst of the messiness makes a lasting impression and points toward the love of Jesus—our true help in a messy world.
For more help and resources on ministering in the messy, check out Women Reaching Women in Crisis and Steps: Gospel-Centered Recovery or refer to the other articles in the Hurting Women or Ministering in the Messy categories.
Dr. Deb Douglas has served in women’s ministry for over 37 years. Now she spends her time working with Purchased Ministry, a ministry to women in the sex trade industry. Deb is also the Director of Biblical Counseling at First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA. She was the first to graduate from New Orleans Baptist Theological seminary with a Masters degree focusing on women’s ministry and has earned a Doctor of Education in Ministry degree from NOBTS. She is “Pearl” to 3 sweet grand babies, “Mom” to Jared Douglas and Katie Chavis, and wife/sweetheart to Paul Douglas.
