Serving Others in the Midst of Struggle: Finding Purpose Through Selflessness

The Power of a Servant’s Heart

When life gets tough, it’s easy to focus on our own struggles and let our circumstances define us. But what if we could find a way to rise above our challenges and serve others instead?

A Legacy of Service

I’ll never forget an elderly Christian I had the privilege of knowing. Despite his multiple health problems, including a heart condition that caused him pain and shortness of breath, he never lost his passion for serving others. As a young man, he’d been a country preacher, and later, a chaplain at a tuberculosis sanatorium. He loved sharing stories about the “olden days,” and I was always inspired by his enthusiasm. Even in his final years, when his health was failing, he continued to look for ways to encourage and serve others.

A Selfless Example

Take Brother Neal, for instance. When it was time for him to move into assisted living, he found a struggling young couple who needed a place to live and sold them his small house below market value, carrying the note for them. His selflessness was a testament to his servant’s heart. Although he’s no longer with us, his example continues to inspire me, especially when I’m facing my own health struggles.

A Biblical Example

Simon Peter’s mother-in-law is another powerful reminder that our physical state doesn’t have to limit our ability to serve. In Mark 1:30-31, we read that she was ill with a fever, but Jesus healed her, and immediately, she began to serve others. Her response to her healing was not to focus on her own needs, but to use her newfound health to bless those around her.

Serving Despite Circumstances

When we’re faced with illness or other trials, it’s easy to feel sidelined and useless. But the truth is, we can always find ways to serve others, even if it’s just through a friendly smile or a listening ear. Our faith can be a powerful witness to those around us, especially when we’re going through tough times. By choosing to focus on serving others, we can find healing and purpose, even in the midst of struggle.

A Prayer for a Servant’s Heart

Lord, help me to love you and your people so much that my desire is to serve rather than make excuses why I can’t. Amen. May we all strive to have a servant’s heart, like Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, and use our lives to bless others, no matter what our circumstances may be.

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