Has it ever occurred to you that God gave your personality to you — and perhaps He did so because He wants to use you to help others? The Bible says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…. If it is encouraging, let him encourage” (Romans 12:6, 8).

As you’ve discovered, all around you are people who are hurting. They hurt for different reasons: broken relationships, disappointment, failure, illness, fear of the future — the list is almost endless. But they all have this in common: they’re hurting and they need our encouragement and help. And none of us are immune; someday we’ll also need help for our hurts. The Bible says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

I urge you to turn your gifts — and your whole life — over to God. God made you, and Jesus Christ died on the cross to redeem you from sin’s penalty. Thank Him for this, and by a simple prayer of faith ask Him to come into your life.

Then ask Him to help you use the gifts He has given you to help others. The best way to do this is to point them beyond their problems to the One who can help them overcome them — Jesus Christ. We are never alone when we know Him, and He can lift our burdens and give us the strength and wisdom we’ll need to overcome them.