One of the best ways to recover from a crisis is to reach out to others. This may sound counterintuitive—thinking about others when your own life seems to be in shambles. But giving your time and energy to other people is one of the greatest boosters of strength and spirit. “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,” the Apostle Paul admonishes, “but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
How do you do this? First reach out to God. Talk to him about everything, no matter how small, just as you would to a close friend or a loved one. “In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). Ask him for strength and creativity—and the discernment to see others who need your help.
Then look around. There is always someone in need.
Remember that all human beings experience troubles similar to your own. And, though it seems paradoxical, remember that the more you give, the more you grow. Alone, you might find this giving hard to do. But with God, it is not only possible, it is one of the key ways to recover your strength and sense of belonging in the world. God enables us to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).
Try it now. Reach out to God. Then reach out to others.
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