My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and someone turns him back, let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)
When we see someone else struggling, we may find ourselves at a loss for what to do. We don’t want to belabor a hard subject or say something wrong to make the situation worse. As we wrestle with what to do, our default is often to do nothing. Throughout his book, James called believers to move toward action in their faith. Whether it is asking for help, confessing sin, or helping someone who is struggling with their faith, we are called to live out the faith we claim.
You may not feel like you have a lot to offer, or may struggle with words to say, but God has equipped you with a new life in Him through Jesus. Helping someone when they feel so far from God can feel long and wearisome, sometimes with no end in sight, but this passage is clear that there is eternal fruit in these efforts. It is hard but important to walk alongside someone who is struggling and straying when it is inconvenient. Instead of being paralyzed by the anxiety of not knowing what to do, we can press into Christ, trusting Him to guide and equip us to walk with others through the valley, pursuing Him together.
- Who is someone around that is struggling with their faith? What can you do to support and encourage them?
- When have you felt stuck figuring out how to help someone in a hard time? What was your solution? Was it helpful? Why or why not?
- Pray for someone who is having a hard time in their faith and ask God to equip you to love and encourage them in this hard season.
