The Need To Know

The Need to Know

Lysa TerKeurst

I have a friend who is hurting. Life as she knew it has suddenly tipped over into a raging river of chaos and confusion. She can barely come up for air before another current rips her under. If ever there was a drowning with no water involved, this is where my friend is.

Maybe you have a hurting friend too.

Yesterday, I sat down to write my friend a card and send her a little gift. I wanted to love her through my words. My heart was full of care, compassion, and a strong desire to encourage, but I struggled to translate what I felt to paper.

As I prayed about it, the word value kept coming to mind.

Remind her she is valuable. Remind her how much you respect her. Remind her she is a woman who has so much to offer.

In Acts 3, Peter and John encountered a crippled man at the temple gate called Beautiful. They stopped. They noticed. They decided to touch. Riches weren’t available to them, but the ability to value was.

“Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up” (Acts 3:6–7). The man in need was worth touching. The man in need just needed someone to give him a hand and help him up. After he got up, he went into the temple courts praising God and stirring up wonder and amazement about what God had done for him. The man who’d been in need became the man who had so much to give.

I want my friend to know she too can get up. She too can stir up amazement and wonder about our God.

Yes, she is valuable.

And so with imperfect words on a simple card, I wrote, “I just think you need to know you are so very valuable. I respect you and love you. Thank you for being you.”

Who in your life might need a card like this from you today? Why not stop right now and write it before the moment slips away.

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me how to love others. Help me to be Your hands and feet today. Give me Your heart so I can see who else in my path today needs some encouragement. For when I reach out, You reach in … into my heart and bless me so. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

REMEMBER

We are all precious in God’s sight. Someone in your life needs to hear that today.

REFLECT

What words of encouragement from friends have been meaningful to you in the past?

RESPOND

Write a note now to someone you think might need words of encouragement.

POWER VERSES

Psalm 94:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11