Many want to help others, but have fears in reaching out. They think they might fail or it won’t turn out the way they planned. What if…? Others have such legitimate deep needs themselves they feel they can’t really help others. Its’ times like these that we can be helped most by helping others.
In a study of 132 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers formed two groups, one of people who met weekly to learn coping skills and another of people who met monthly and received support from another person with multiple sclerosis. The goal was to see which group fared better, those learning coping skills or those hearing from another MS sufferer.
The surprise finding was that neither group fared as well as did the five MS sufferers who had been trained to offer support.
The study found that “giving support improved health more than receiving it.” Those five MS sufferers felt a dramatic change in 
how they viewed themselves and life. Depression, self-confidence, and self-esteem improved markedly. The main researcher said, “These people had undergone a spiritual transformation that gave them a refreshed view of who they were.” Caring for others brought healing for the caregivers. Rob Moll, What Your Body Knows About God, page 108
We can learn from these five MS sufferers. We all have something to give. It might not occur to us at first that we have everyday opportunities to touch people at work or in our neighborhoods that God puts into our path.
ESPN producer Lisa Fenn’s interview with two HS wrestlers Leroy Sutton and Dartanyon Crockett began a very unexpected and extraordinary journey that still continues today. Here’s real life story of hope and triumph in the midst of loss.
Watch the true inspiring story ‘Carry On:Why I Stayed’ here. Share this with a friend.
You and I can help others no matter what we’ve been though or where we’ve been in life!
The God of all comfort and compassion comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
