I’ve had the privilege of knowing Beth K. Vogt since assisting with the launch of her debut novel, and have experienced the care she shares about in this guest post first hand. I will never forget the compassion and understanding that comes with spending time with this wonderful woman and talented writer. Her words speak for themselves, so pay attention, dear friends! Over to you, Beth…

4 Ways You Can Help Others —

Even When You’re Hurting, Too

You might be reading this post right now and struggling. With an ongoing illness. With the death of a family member or friend. With anxiety.

There was a season in my life when I dealt with chronic pain. For a number of years, I crawled into bed every night, worn out from hurting. I battled ongoing back pain that radiated down one leg and not one but two frozen shoulders. I woke up each morning thinking, Maybe I won’t ache all over today.

And for months and months and months, I was wrong.

But while I faced unrelenting pain, I also knew I wasn’t the only person hurting. Friends and family members had their own trials and heartaches. And I wanted to help them. Encourage them. But some days it was challenging enough to take care of myself, to do what I needed to do—including take care of my family and meet my writing deadlines—much less do something for someone else.

When life is hard and your energy is low, here are four simple but effective ways to help others when you’re hurting too:

1. Forget grandiose—go small. So often, when we think of helping someone else, we think we have to go big. Cook an entire meal from salad to dessert. Take them out to breakfast or lunch. Create an elaborate themed gift basket. When you’re hurting, physical and emotional energy is limited. Suggest something like, “Let’s meet for coffee. How about this Wednesday? I have a free hour.” Instead of a meal, opt for dropping off brownies or cookies—and offering your favorite store-bought kind is fine.

2. Go for a hug—and make it a good one. We study everything these days—even hugs. Researchers say a “sincere” hug should last for twenty seconds, which is long enough to release four “happy” neurotransmitters: oxytocin, endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. The combination of these neurotransmitters works together to create trust, increase enthusiasm, and negate pain and sadness. Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of a hug.

3. Send a handwritten note—and make someone’s day. A first-class stamp costs only fifty-five cents. Sure, texting or email is faster and free, but a handwritten note or card means so much more. Stock up on some favorite stationery and keep it nearby, along with a supply of stamps. Often, a friend will tell me, “Your card arrived at the perfect time.” Write a note, seal it with a prayer—and trust God for the timing.

4. Pray—and then text an “I prayed for you” message. When God brings a friend to mind, turn that thought of them into a prayer for them. And then text them and say, “I’m praying for you.” If you know what they’re struggling with, pray over the specifics. If you don’t know, remember God knows, and ask Him to accomplish what concerns them (Psalm 138:8, NASB). There are times I’ve texted an actual prayer to a loved one, complete with “Dear Jesus” and “Amen.” I believe God honors all types of heartfelt prayers, even ones over text.

Thanks, dear Beth – such great encouragement! Be sure to check out Beth’s second Thatcher Sisters novel, Moments We Forget, another moving women’s fiction novel where these four ways to help come into play in tangible ways. Thanks to the wonderful folk at Tyndale House, we have a copy to giveaway. Enter via the Rafflecopter from below!

Jillian Thatcher has spent most of her life playing the family peacemaker, caught in the middle between her driven, talented older sister and her younger, spotlight-stealing twin sisters. Then on the night of her engagement party, a cancer diagnosis threatens to once again steal her chance to shine.

Now, Jillian’s on the road to recovery after finally finishing chemo and radiation, but residual effects of the treatment keep her from reclaiming her life as she’d hoped. And just when her dreams might be falling into place, a life-altering revelation from her husband sends her reeling again.

Will Jillian ever achieve her own dreams, or will she always be “just Jillian,” the less-than Thatcher sister? Can she count on her sisters as she tries to step into a stronger place, or are they stuck in their childhood roles forever?

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind doors marked Never. Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, as well as a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner and a 2015 RITA Award finalist. Beth’s latest novel, Moments We Forget, book two in the Thatcher Sisters Series, releases from Tyndale House Publishers in May 2019. Visit Beth at bethvogt.com.

Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Vogt @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Beth’s website
Buy at Amazon: Moments We Forget or Koorong

a Rafflecopter giveaway