People Centered
There are times when we yearn to know that someone really cares about us, and especially that someone is praying for us. This is especially true for myself. When I share my ups and downs with trusted friends and they give me a hug and tell me they will be praying for me nothing makes my heart happier in that moment.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 -So encourage each other to build each other up. I love that scripture because it teaches me how to be a friend.
There are 5 Critical characteristics to loving people where they are.
Relate to people where they are. If someone is sharing there life, we should be sharing our life also. When you are feeling lost you don’t want to feel alone to.
Be a friend - a secret holder kind of friend. We must invest in people and be trustworthy.
Encourage always. If someone is feeling down they don’t turn to you to be reminded of how messed up life is. They turn to you to be reminded that someone really cares.
Share your past to help someone’s future. Very important. The Holy Spirit will prompt you when it’s time to share.
Cry with others - For me I have been lucky enough to be holding hands with a friend and we can be deep in prayer and our tears dropping over our hands, you can’t tell whose tears are whose and that can be a beautiful moment.
People desire to be noticed, included, and cared for. We need to be people centered, not self centered. It’s not as easy as it sounds. I think we are just naturally self centered humans. It’s part of living in a fallen world. But the Bible says be glad over 102x and be joyful over 150x. And every once in a while we need to be reminded of that truth so we can pass it on to others in need.
I will leave you with John 15:5 - Yes I am the vine; you are the branches those who remain in me and I in them, will produce much fruit. For a part from me you can do nothing.