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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Dear Rev. Graham: It’s difficult to live up to the commandments that we should love our neighbors more than ourselves. I confess that it takes a lot of time to do this; I have enough problems of my own and no one offers to help me. But I’m a Christian and I do have the Lord, but I still struggle with making others’ problems my own. – O.P.

 

Dear O.P.: “I have enough problems of my own,” a man said. “I’m a Christian, but I just haven’t got the time or the energy to worry about anyone else’s problems.” Such an attitude can be understood, because everyone encounters problems at one time or another.

Problems have a way of blocking out everything (and everyone) else. It isn’t necessarily wrong to give attention to our own problems, but when our problems deafen us to the hurts of others, when they make us fail to reach out to someone we could help, then we have become part of the darkness instead of shining like stars and holding out the Word of Life as we should.

What an example of the Good Samaritan. No doubt this man was preoccupied with his journey, but he still stopped and took care of the man who had been left for dead (see Luke 10:25–37).

When we ask God to free us from whatever preoccupies us, He gives us the opportunity to be a light for Christ in the midst of this dark world. May we be sources of comfort to the suffering and blessings to the broken-hearted. Often when we reach out to others, they reach back.

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life” (Philippians 2:14–16, NKJV).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)