How can we encourage others to seek God when they face difficult times? A Sleeper in the Storm “ ‘The captain approached him and said, “How can you be sleeping? Get up and call on your God! Perhaps this God will consider us so that we will not perish.” ’ ” (Jonah 1:6) Recognize the Crisis and Wake Up • Difficult seasons often lull hearts into hopeless resignation—Jonah’s drowsiness mirrors that. • Loving friends become the captain, gently shaking the sufferer awake. • First step: help them name the storm honestly—loss, illness, conflict, fear—so they see the need to turn God-ward. Point to the God Who Hears and Saves • The captain didn’t offer vague positivity; he directed Jonah to “call on your God.” • Psalm 50:15—“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you.” • James 5:13—“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” • Encourage people to move from self-help to God-help through earnest, personal prayer. He alone calms seas (Mark 4:39). Demonstrate Faith in Action • Live the invitation before you speak it. – Share how the Lord steadied you in past storms (Psalm 66:16). – Continue trusting publicly; your peace authenticates your counsel (Philippians 4:9). • Offer to pray with them immediately—storm-tossed hearts rarely refuse real-time help. Speak Scripture into the Situation Verses that anchor a struggling soul: • Isaiah 41:10—God’s presence and strength. • Philippians 4:6-7—exchange anxiety for peace. • Matthew 11:28-30—rest for the weary. • Romans 8:28—purpose in pain. • Hebrews 4:16—bold access to mercy and grace. Read aloud, text the verse, write it on a card—letting God’s own words do the convincing (Hebrews 4:12). Offer Support that Reflects God’s Care • Practical help—meals, childcare, rides—shows the Lord’s tangible kindness (1 John 3:18). • Regular check-ins communicate, “You’re not alone in the boat.” • Worship music, church community, testimony videos—tools that keep eyes on Christ. Trust the Outcome to the Lord • Jonah’s crew tossed cargo, but salvation ultimately came from God (Jonah 2:10). • Encourage perseverance: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16). • Rest knowing His purposes prevail, even when waves rise higher (Romans 15:13). Helping others seek God in hard times means waking them up to His presence, pointing them to His promises, walking beside them, and entrusting every result to His faithful hands. |
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