How can we heal by helping others

God could turn our brokenness into your most incredible breakthroughs. Most of the time, our healing comes from helping others.

The scripture says that everything works together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) 

Using our pain to help others is one way for God to make everything work for good. In our depression, we learn many things to help us become better. 

Besides, God uses our circumstances to refine us and strengthen our faith.

How can we heal by helping others

Our suffering could be a blessing for us and those we could help, just like what Jesus Christ did for the human race. 

He had the most extreme pain and brokenness, yet God used Him to cleanse us from our sins and free us from our pain.

Additionally, Jesus felt satisfied and relieved after His pain because He knew all His sacrifices were worth it. 

Thus, how can we experience healing by helping others? 

Here are some benefits we can get from helping others amidst our pain.

Discover your purpose

Our brokenness could lead us to discover what God intends for our lives. 

For instance, some people who have lost loved ones become members of a support group that helps others who are also grieving. 

Their experience of accepting and recovering from their loss could inspire others in the same situation.

Moreover, we cannot share what we do not have, which is the same in our circumstances. We can never understand how it hurts until we are in the same situation. 

Another, we tend to be more compassionate and patient with those who are hurting since we know how it feels. 

In addition, some people volunteer to help children and women suffering from abuse because they struggle. 

When they received healing and freedom through Jesus Christ, they wanted to help others.

Thus, God will make you realize that there is a reason why you are still here: to model Him and express His love, especially to those in need and hurt.

Discover genuine satisfaction

Most hurt people tend to satisfy themselves by drinking alcohol, smoking, or using drugs. But they never get satisfied, and the more they are damaged,

Nevertheless, those who divert their attention to helping others rather than focusing on their pain are more content. 

Also, they discover another reason to be happy again by helping others. They feel a unique kind of satisfaction that material things cannot offer.

Thus, being compassionate to others’ needs instead of focusing on our pain and needs is an excellent way to heal. 

It could help us navigate our emotions and feelings amidst our brokenness.

Furthermore, helping others could “feed your soul,” which relieves a difficult moment of loss and grief.

Discover new friendships

When we are hurting, we tend to feel isolated and lonely. Our pain could push others away or move us away from our loved ones. 

It creates a small world for us since we do not have the chance to meet others.

However, when we help others amidst our pain, we will meet new people and build friendships instead of walls against them. 

The more we meet people, the more we learn how they overcome their struggles. 

More so, we can be inspired by the stories of those we are helping and our co-volunteers. Their testimonies of how God worked miraculously in their circumstances could give us more hope. 

It also strengthens our faith that God’s love never fails to help us in times of trouble. These new friendships will be your new support system whenever you feel weak and remember your pain.

Overcome our guilty feelings

In our brokenness, we realize what we should have done or not done in the past. Our guilt feelings could make it hard for us to move on and forgive ourselves. 

The more we help others, especially those with the same struggles as ours, the more we can overcome our guilty feelings.

Moreover, Satan will use our guilty feelings to continue to destroy us and steal the joy that comes from God. 

If we did not focus too much on our feelings and instead help others, we can overcome the feeling of regret. We can never undo our past, but we can always change our present and future. 

More so, our guilt feelings will only hinder us from healing. When you share your testimony with others, you give them helpful ways to avoid making the same mistakes you did. 

Although we cannot bring our loved ones when we help others value their time, it heals us from the things we have not done for our loved ones that have passed away.

How do I help others and heal?

We have two choices when we are experiencing brokenness. First, we focus on our needs and pains or derive attention from helping others. 

The first choice could destroy us even more, but the second choice is the best way to experience freedom.

So, here are ways to help others and heal from our pain simultaneously.

Serve in the church

One of the best ways to help others is to serve in your church community. You are not only helping others but also serving the Lord. 

The church has many ministries you can participate in, such as women's, men's, youth, and children's ministries.

Besides, you can also ask your pastor’s permission to start a support group for those experiencing the same situation as you. 

Some churches do not yet have support systems for those recovering from losing jobs, loved ones, divorce, etc.

Volunteer or join organizations

You can find an organization that focuses on helping others and guides you on how to help others. 

Instead of spending time alone at home, join their mission to help you meet and assist others in need.

Moreover, most charities or organizations would love more volunteers to help them accomplish their mission. 

Teach your skills

We all have gifts from God, and sometimes our brokenness could hinder us from sharing and practicing those skills we have. 

Yet, one way to help others and heal from our grief is to teach the skills we have.

Nowadays, it is easy for us to share our skills with the help of our social media accounts. You can upload your videos online and share them with others. 

In this way, you would have less time to focus on your pain. 

For instance, if you are good at designing clothes or woodworking, you can share them with younger people so they can derive their attention from vices.

Speak out about your experience

You may not realize how many people are suffering from the same struggles that you are, but God can use your circumstance to bring comfort and hope to these people. 

You can share how God worked in you and redeemed you in your darkness, so others may realize that God is real.

Moreover, do not be ashamed of your weakness because God has revealed His greatness in your weakness. Many people would love to hear how you have recovered through God’s help and grace. 

Speak out and tell your testimony to people because, through your brokenness, they will know that God is real.