Care for Someone

​How you ever felt like no one cares about you?
 
I have been there, and it is a scary place to be.
 
The Psalmist David was passing through a deep, dismally dark, depressing valley in his life. Psalm 142:3-4 reveals the depth of his despair: “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Thou didst know my path. There is no escape for me, there is no one who regards me, no one cares for my soul.” Psalm 142:3-4
 
Overwhelmed in his spirit by circumstances beyond his control, David knew God was watching out for him. But his human heart cried out for someone besides God to care for him in his time of desperate need.
 
Real life enemies had surrounded him. Alone and hemmed in, he felt lonely. David could not find a way of escape from the intense, spirit-crushing pressure he was under. Feeling frustrated that his situation was bigger than his ability to cope with by himself, he called out, wondering if anyone cared for his soul.
 
 David needed a friend to care about what he cared about.
 
My friend, have you ever felt overwhelmed by life? Have you ever wondered if anyone cared about your soul…what you think, what you feel, what you need?
 
Despite our 21st century explosion of social networking technology, in every survey, Americans rank LONELINESS at the top of the list of their personal concerns. People can be in a huge crowd and feel desperately alone, unnoticed and uncared for.
 
Our technological toys are impressive and serve a purpose in our society. Admittedly, I do not know how to use most of them. Ask my family. Technology is not my gift!
 
For all the good it does, technology can leave many people feeling alone, isolated and wondering if anyone really cares about them.
 
 FaceBook is not face to face. Tweeting is not meeting with someone. Instagram is not spending quality time with another person. MySpace is not sharing mutual space. Cell phones may connect us with an ear and a voice but not always with a heart. Blogging is not jogging with someone down life’s trail sharing who we are and what our life is all about. Texting is not getting next to someone and letting them know that someone cares about them.
 
People, like you and me, and everyone we know, want someone(s) to genuinely care about our lives. We think we may be in touch with people more than ever. But I believe many people feel out of touch and wonder if anyone cares for their soul.
 
“No one cares for my soul.” Say this phrase a few times aloud and let the despair of such a statement sink deep into your soul. Oh my! No one should be left alone to feel that way. No one that you and I know. No one that God may direct us to. As Christians, we are the embodiment of Christ’s love and care for people. If anyone should be caring for people who think no one cares, it is us.
 
So, let us start to care and share God’s love with someone who thinks no one cares. How about a simple acrostic to get us started?
 
Connect with the person you care about. Touch base. Especially if you have not heard from them for awhile. Make that call. Set up an appointment to meet. Turn off your cell phone when you get together. Give them your sincere, undivided attention. Listen. Respond with an understanding heart and an appropriate human touch.
 
Assist them with their situation. Focus on their life. Find out what they need. Serve them. Offer to help them with practical things that will relieve the pressure they feel. Do something for them that demonstrates that you really care. Go out of your way to do whatever they need you to do to communicate that you care for their soul.
 
Renew your personal relationship. Catch up on each other’s lives. Resolve to keep your friendship relationship up to date. Make regular contact. Inquire how they are doing. Show interest in what interests them. Be honest and open. Gently but purposefully push their buttons once in a while to find out what is going on with them. Let them know that they matter to you.
 
Encourage your friend to call upon you when they need to. Encourage this by demonstrating to them that you will respond. Assure them you will be there anytime, any where, for any reason. You will not leave them alone. You can be counted on to show up when they throw up their hands in frustration.
 
Rubber meets the road: Who do you know that is struggling with whether anyone cares for them or not? If you are award of their emotional despair, are you praying for them? Have you contacted them? Are you willing to spend time with them on their turf? Are you willing to listen to them and show them the love and compassion of the Lord?
 
Would it not be wonderful if we knew that there was no one in our circle of relationships that felt like no one cared for their soul?
 
You and I can make that happen by caring for someone today in Jesus’ name!
 
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”                                                                                 John 13:14-15
 
A Word For Your Week: Take care to care for someone who needs to know you care.