Lift Your Heart by Serving Others

It’s easy to slip into the pity party. How come this happened to me? I don’t deserve this? Or, to maybe lament the absence of attention. How come no one comes around or calls or invites me? The cycles of life ensure that no matter who we are and where we are, these flat spots come around.

Oswald Chambers says that’s when we’re most likely to persecute Christ, much like Saul had been before he was confronted by the risen Christ on the road to Damascus.

Persecution takes many forms. Rick Warren says that hurt people hurt people. It doesn’t have to be overt, a statement, an expression, a physical move. Persecution can be an omission, the absence of something.

We are thrilled when we face persecution. It is the highest privilege. As Paul (formerly Saul the persecutor) rightly acknowledges, persecution produces persistence and character. Suffering for Christ’s sake is simply walking with him.

Persecution complexes, however, are not part of this. There are those who might believe that the world is heaping on them and they must suffer silently for Christ. Some of those voices against them may be their own, as they endure an imbalance of nutrition, chemicals, work or other aspect in their life, having nothing to do with anyone overtly doing things to them.

Two things we can do when we have the feeling that we are suffering persecution: one, rejoice. God brings good out of everything, and suffering with the right attitude does produce character. Two, be relational. Reach out to others with a smile, a friendly face, and a happy heart. People mirror what they see in others. A smile is quickly returned. A laugh produces others. Joyful people almost always meet joyful people. Sometimes the quickest way to lift your heart is to lift others. And do it in the name of Christ.

And there is a third thing. Get out and serve others. The greatest gift you can give yourself is the one you give to someone else. Who can you help? Who’s spirits can you lift? Who needs your time, your interest, your hands and feet?

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." - Philo of Alexandria