About Evangelism Helping with Heartache: Are You One of God's Cardiologists?
| Helping with Heartache: Are You One of God's Cardiologists? |
| Written by David Zook |
| Monday, 28 September 2009 18:52 |
|
Cardiologists help fix people’s hearts. In many respects that’s what Christians do … not the physical heart of course, but the spiritual heart. There are many people walking the streets today whose spiritual hearts have been severely damaged. Some are bleeding, while others are blocked from the emotional and spiritual wounds suffered. You ask her if life is more than money. She agrees. You point to the fact that the birds of the air and lilies of the field have no money, yet God provides for them … and that she is more precious in his eyes than they are. (Matthew 6:26) Will God not provide for you? She agrees. You ask her if worrying will add another hour to her life. (Matthew 6:27) She says no. In fact, she says continually worrying will take hours from your life! You ask her if these things are true, then why worry. (Matthew 6:28) She doesn’t have an answer. You assure her that God knows exactly what you need, when you need it and he will provide. She says that is nice, but what do I do? You tell her the first thing to do is to seek God. Get to know him; his promises; his plan; his comfort; his love. You share with her how his love has worked in your life and delivered you from difficult circumstances through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. You answer any questions she might have; then ask her if she wants this to be a part of her life. If she says yes, then lead her to Christ. If she says no, then you let it be. Jesus used this same technique as he was ministering to people. He identified a need; then he explained how he would fulfill it. The Samaritan woman at the well found in John 4 is a terrific example of this. Read it and notice how Jesus draws the woman in with questions; then answers. Metaphorically, Jesus tells the woman that he can satisfy forever, while the relationships with men will only satisfy her temporarily. She is painfully aware of this because she has had five husbands and currently living with a man. The key is discovering his/her heart need. For the Samaritan woman it was to be completely satisfied. For many of us her issue is our issue. People who suffer from addictions, go from sex partner to sex partner, sabotage relationships, or pursue money for money’s sake fit into this category. Yearning to be wholly satisfied, people pursue what makes their heart go while leaving out God, who is the one who is able to ultimately satisfy. Being one of God’s cardiologists doesn’t require years of specialized training and technical know how, but it does require a caring heart and a spirit willing to listen, discern, diagnosis and apply … as Jesus did with the Samaritan woman. This is one very effective way of sharing Christ in a real and meaningful way to those who are seeking to be healed. What has your experience been with this? Please share with us … it will encourage and inspire us. |
Add your comment
recent articles
Categories
| About the Gospel |
| About God |
| About Theology |
| About Worship |
| About Discipleship |
| About Family |
| About Spiritual Disciplines |
| About Community |
| About Character |
| About Social Justice |
| About Evangelism |
Popular Articles
- Leave this One to the Holy Spirit: Convicting Others of Sin
- Women: Here's the Key to Gaining Affection From Your Husband
- Mercy: The Undeserving and You
- Men: One Key To A Strong Marriage And A Good Sex Life
- Three Questions You Need to Ask When Reading Scripture
- Being God's Mailmen, Not Salesmen
- What "The Biggest Loser" Can Teach Christians
- Money, God, Priorities, and You
- Without Understanding This, The Gospel Won't Make Sense
- Make the Most of Your Time