HE Cares

What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?

(Psalm 8:4, NKJV)

The concept of caring has always been with each one of us and remains an innate need for all.  Caring is not unique to human beings but is also perfectly demonstrated by animals when handling their young ones or those weak in their herds and packs.  When one cares and shows it, he connects with another person at a deep heart level.  Care is what helps us to empathize and sympathize with others, calling us to walk in the shoes of the other person.  Admittedly, we tend to care more for those that we love as well as those within our circles of proximity, and we could realistically acknowledge that we cannot show the same level of care to everyone at the same time.  It is also true that not everyone has the will to demonstrate or act out of care for another person, but I choose to think that each person has the capacity and ability to experience the emotion of care regardless of what he decides to do with it.  Just as we desire to receive care and compassion from others, we also need to walk the scale and extend the same to others.  Having said this, it is also true that this one act of compassion and concern for and by others is not always expressed and at times, it is even denied deliberately. 

Looking around us, there are many people who are suffering loneliness and sense of hopelessness even when they are surrounded by others. Most of us are consumed by our own lives that we have failed to see the pain in the eyes of others, our focus and the urgency to satisfy ourselves has blinded us to the needs of some who are closest to us.  Yet for many who need our touch of care, they would be grateful if we only gave attention to them when they speak.  Many are simply looking for some connection with another human being, and my brethren, this is a need that we all carry irrespective of status or age.  Is it possible that we have become so busy “doing” everything else that we have forgotten that we are “beings” who feel?  Paul in writing to the Philippians reminds us to look at the interests of others (Philippians 2:4) and beloved, this has not changed.  To Timothy, Paul wrote that one who fails to meet the needs of others particularly his family, has denied the faith of Christ (1 Timothy 5:8).  We are called to reach out to others, be practical about it and not ignore their need for our support and attention.

Beloved, having looked at our reaching out to others, we also will not deny our own need for care and support by others.  I do not know about you but I know that as human beings we also have times when we need the help of others.  For those who are often out there taking care of others, it is more difficult for them to find people who reach out to them for comfort.  They are seen as strong and are the ones that friends and family reach out too, and few recognize that they too get broken and would appreciate a shoulder from another human being.  It is a studied fact that caregivers suffer silently as they give of themselves and rarely receive reciprocal support to strengthen and refresh them. No one is too strong to never need the support of others.  This is so important that God’s word reminds us that those who refresh others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).  Beloved, when you have given your best to others and need refreshing, remember that God cares for you and will meet you exactly at your point of need.  It is encouraging to know that God is not asking us to do to others what He cannot do, indeed, He is able to do so much more for us in our renewal and refreshing to a level that no other than being can do.  My brother, my sister, the Father deeply cares for you, pour out your heart to Him for He is a sure refuge (Psalm 55:22).  He wraps His arms of love around you (Psalm 91:1-4) even when you do not see Him, we know He is there for us and nothing will ever separate us from His love.  May this be your comfort and strength.

Thoughts

Do you know someone who needs your care?

How have you shown others care?

How have you experienced God’s care for you?

How have others shown you care?