Tips to Thrive

Tips to Thrive_4 2020

7 Ways to Bless Others

Evelyn Griffin is a retired pastor’s wife. She and her pastor-husband have four children and 14 grandchildren.

WITH COVID-19 STILL IN PROGRESS, every minister’s spouse can find a way to be a blessing in the “new normal.”

First, follow the guidelines given in your area, including wearing a mask, hand-washing, and social distancing. But especially, guard your health, since this is the very best safeguard against serious illness. Then pray and trust God to keep you safe.

Eat a healthful diet, avoiding sugars (especially sugary soda) and junk food. Stay well-hydrated, get daily exercise, get adequate sleep, and trust God to bless your health so that you may bless others. Blessing others brings deep satisfaction and happiness! How can we bless people?

PRAY
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to do what you can do safely. Invite Him to be in your life so that others will feel His influence through you. Ask for the Spirit, and you will receive Him (James 4:2, last part; Luke 11:13).

BOOST YOUR ATTITUDE
Have a positive and encouraging attitude. Display courage and faith in God and His plan, because He does have a plan! Let’s fit into it!

SPREAD JOY
Ask God to give you joy as you minister to your family, church members, and others. Joy is contagious: try to spread it.

SHARE HOPE
Share some of the many Bible promises with people. Thus they will be aware that you have a relationship with the Almighty and are someone they can turn to.

SUGGEST JOURNALING
Often, when you write about your problems, the Lord will impress you with wisdom for solving them.

LISTEN
Let people talk about their individual struggles. We sometimes feel that we should share wisdom and advice, but much of the time, people just need to talk. Be the one who will listen.

EMPATHIZE
When someone comes to you crying, ask God whether to say, “Don’t cry; things will work out” or whether He wants you to cry with them.

“Christ did not yield up His life till He had accomplished the work which He came to do” (The Desire of Ages, p. 758). God has also prepared a special place where you can serve. Where? Right where you are. Ask yourself, “What can I do for Jesus?” Then ask Him the same question. He will show you.