Small, Thoughtful Gestures Make a Big Difference

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES When You're Hoping for a Miracle

Small, Thoughtful Gestures Make a Big Difference By Rick Warren — Jul 25, 2016 “Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14b NLT, second edition). When you’re ministering to a friend who is dying, you should give your physical presence to your friend but also give practical assistance. What does that mean? It means you do whatever needs to be done to help your friend, and you also help in small but practical ways. People who are dying usually don’t feel good. They are often in pain. You can give comfort by attending to the small things that could make a big difference. Do they want the lights on or off? Can you get some ice chips? Do they need a backrub? You show love by offering practical assistance to relieve pain and discomfort. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to suggest things. The Bible says, “Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 NLT, second edition). When people are in pain, they don’t feel happy. When people are dying, they often get cranky because they don’t feel well. You show compassion when you cut them some slack and extend kindness and patience to them. Why is this important? Because another one of the fears that people have when they’re dying is the fear of losing control. First they couldn’t drive. Now they can’t walk or get out of bed or use the bathroom on their own. You can minister to people who are dying simply by being aware of their needs but also giving them choices in how those needs are addressed. Every time you give them a choice, you give control back to them. “Would you like your slippers on or off?” “Would you like for me to change the channel? What would you like to watch?” “Would you like your breakfast now or later?” Sometimes the smallest gesture or thoughtful assistance can make the biggest impact on someone who is facing death. Your presence is a ministry in itself, and so is your compassion through practical assistance. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over How does your attitude change when you consider the impact your presence and small gestures can make on a friend who is dying? If you were facing death, how would you want people to minister to you? Our Gift: God's Power to Change Your Life Book God is all about changing lives. He can help you through any struggle you’re facing, and take you from where you are to where you want to be. In God’s Power to Change Your Life, Rick Warren lays the groundwork for personal transformation, offering biblical insights on what it takes to become more loving, live more peacefully, develop patience, and have self-control. LEARN MORE Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes all complete sermons from the Rick Warren When You're Hoping for a Miracle teaching series. LEARN MORE Series Summary Message 1: ​When You're Running Out of Everything Message 2: ​​​​​​​​​When You Can't See Your Way Clearly Message 3: ​​When You've Come Up Empty Message 4: ​When You Feel You're Sinking Message 5: When A Marriage Has Ended Message 6: ​​When You're Drowning In Debt Message 7: When A Friend is Dying PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at rickwarren.org. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered across America. This devotional © 2016 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe