Day 6: Look after the Sick

We live in the era of DoorDash and Meal Trains; helping someone through illness or surgery has never been easier.

Systems of support are useful, but what does it look like to really care for the sick? God is leading us to more than checking off a task; He compels our hearts to “look after, carry, and have compassion.”

Sickness is common in the human experience, but true godly compassion is rare. We are accustomed to powering through, being independent, and not asking for help, so sometimes, it’s difficult to even know when someone needs it.

This is why connection drives compassion. God calls us to do life together, and when you are close with people in your community, then you know when they are hurting or going through a physical challenge.

That’s our opportunity to lift some of the burden for them.

A single woman recently had surgery. She didn’t have any family members in the town she lived in, but she was part of a small group in a church community. One group member stayed with her at the hospital during her surgery. Others made meals. Some fed her pets, and still another mowed the lawn at her house. This is how a godly community cares for the sick. They lift the burden so the person feels loved and has time to recover.

How can you connect more authentically to your church community? If you’re already well-connected, how can you bring someone else in?