Navigating Shock: The Power of Presence and Support

Summary

In our journey through life, we inevitably encounter moments of profound shock and grief. These moments can come unexpectedly, like a sudden storm, leaving us feeling paralyzed and overwhelmed. The Bible reminds us that such times are part of the human experience, as Ecclesiastes 9:12 states, "People can never predict when hard times might come." Whether we are currently in a crisis, know someone who is, or are unknowingly approaching one, it is crucial to understand how to navigate these turbulent waters.

When faced with shock, our first reaction is often one of disbelief and numbness. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who experienced shock, such as Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah, who were left speechless and in pain. In these moments, it is essential to remember that we are not alone. God calls us to support one another, to be present for those in pain, and to share in their suffering.

To help a friend in shock, we must first show up. The ministry of presence is powerful; it requires no words, just our presence. Like Job's friends, who came to comfort him without waiting for an invitation, we must take the initiative to be there for those in need. Secondly, we share their pain. The greater the grief, the fewer words are needed. Our tears and silent companionship can speak volumes.

Finally, we must take the initiative to offer practical help. Instead of saying, "Call me if you need anything," we should offer specific assistance, such as bringing a meal or running an errand. In times of shock, people often cannot articulate their needs, so we must be proactive in offering support.

For those currently in crisis, it is vital to cry out to God and let others help. Psalm 50:15 encourages us to call on God in our day of trouble, and He will rescue us. Additionally, we must allow others to assist us, as isolation can hinder healing. Remember, it is okay to be vulnerable and accept help from those around us.

Key Takeaways:

- The Unpredictability of Crisis: Life's crises often come without warning, leaving us in shock and disbelief. It is essential to recognize that these moments are part of the human experience and that we are not alone in facing them. [00:21]

- The Ministry of Presence: When supporting someone in shock, our presence is more valuable than words. Like Job's friends, we should show up without waiting for an invitation, offering silent companionship and comfort. [05:30]

- Sharing in Suffering: The greater the grief, the fewer words are needed. We must be willing to share in the pain of others, offering our tears and silent support as a testament to our empathy and love. [08:30]

- Taking Initiative in Helping: Instead of waiting for someone in shock to ask for help, we should proactively offer specific assistance. This approach alleviates the burden on those in crisis and demonstrates our genuine care. [12:14]

- Crying Out to God and Accepting Help: In times of shock, it is crucial to cry out to God for strength and allow others to support us. Isolation can hinder healing, so we must embrace the community around us. [14:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - The Unpredictability of Crisis
- [00:40] - Shock and Disbelief
- [01:46] - Recognizing Crisis in Our Lives
- [02:53] - Helping Friends in Shock
- [04:20] - Turning Sorrow into Hope
- [04:50] - The Ministry of Presence
- [07:44] - Sharing in Suffering
- [11:09] - Taking Initiative in Helping
- [13:56] - Navigating Personal Catastrophes
- [14:22] - Crying Out to God
- [15:48] - Accepting Help from Others
- [17:19] - The Role of Community
- [18:55] - The Importance of Fellowship
- [19:38] - Invitation to Prayer and Support

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ecclesiastes 9:12 - "People can never predict when hard times might come."
2. Psalm 50:15 - "Call to me in your day of trouble and I will rescue you."
3. Galatians 6:2 - "By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Ecclesiastes 9:12, what does the Bible say about the predictability of hard times? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about life’s crises? [00:21]

2. In the sermon, what examples were given of biblical figures who experienced shock? How did they react to their situations? [00:58]

3. What does the sermon suggest is the first step in helping a friend who is in shock? How is this illustrated through the story of Job’s friends? [05:30]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of community and fellowship during times of crisis? [18:55]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the unpredictability of crises, as mentioned in Ecclesiastes 9:12, challenge our understanding of control in our lives? What does this imply about our reliance on God? [00:21]

2. The sermon emphasizes the "ministry of presence." How does this concept align with the actions of Job’s friends, and what does it teach us about supporting others in their grief? [05:30]

3. In what ways does Galatians 6:2 encourage us to act during someone else's crisis? How does this reflect the law of Christ? [03:20]

4. How does the act of crying out to God, as mentioned in Psalm 50:15, serve as a form of honoring Him during our times of trouble? [14:22]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced an unexpected crisis. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in navigating that situation? [00:21]

2. Think of someone you know who is currently in shock or grief. How can you apply the "ministry of presence" to support them this week? What specific actions will you take? [05:30]

3. The sermon suggests taking initiative in helping others. Identify a practical way you can offer specific assistance to someone in need this week. [12:14]

4. How can you create a supportive community around you that encourages vulnerability and acceptance of help during difficult times? [18:55]

5. Consider the importance of crying out to God in your own life. What are some ways you can incorporate this practice into your daily routine, especially during challenging times? [14:22]

6. Reflect on a recent situation where you withdrew from others during a difficult time. How might embracing community and fellowship have changed your experience? [18:40]

7. How can you be more aware of the needs of those around you, and what steps can you take to ensure you are ready to help when a crisis arises? [11:09]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Life's Unpredictable Storms
In life, crises often strike without warning, leaving us in shock and disbelief. These moments are an inevitable part of the human experience, as Ecclesiastes 9:12 reminds us that we cannot predict when hard times might come. Recognizing this unpredictability helps us prepare mentally and spiritually for such events. It is crucial to remember that we are not alone in facing these challenges. God is with us, and He places people in our lives to support us through these storms. By acknowledging the unpredictability of crises, we can cultivate resilience and trust in God's plan, even when we cannot see the way forward. [00:21]

"For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them." (Ecclesiastes 9:12, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent unexpected challenge you faced. How did you respond, and how might you prepare your heart and mind for future unforeseen events?

Day 2: The Power of Presence in Times of Shock
When someone we care about is in shock, our presence can be more comforting than words. The ministry of presence involves showing up without waiting for an invitation, offering silent companionship and comfort. Like Job's friends, who came to him in his time of need, we are called to be there for others, even when we don't have the right words to say. Our presence alone can provide a sense of stability and support, reminding those in crisis that they are not alone. By being present, we demonstrate God's love and compassion in a tangible way. [05:30]

"And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great." (Job 2:13, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is currently experiencing a difficult time? How can you offer your presence to them this week, even if it's just sitting in silence together?

Day 3: Sharing in the Suffering of Others
In times of great grief, words often fall short. The Bible teaches us that the greater the grief, the fewer words are needed. We are called to share in the suffering of others, offering our tears and silent support as a testament to our empathy and love. This act of sharing in pain is a powerful expression of solidarity and compassion. By entering into the suffering of others, we reflect Christ's love and demonstrate that we are willing to bear one another's burdens. This shared experience can bring healing and hope to those who are hurting. [08:30]

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when someone shared in your suffering. How did their presence impact you, and how can you offer the same support to someone else today?

Day 4: Taking Initiative to Help Those in Crisis
When someone is in shock, they may not be able to articulate their needs. Instead of waiting for them to ask for help, we should proactively offer specific assistance. This approach alleviates the burden on those in crisis and demonstrates our genuine care. By taking the initiative to help, we show that we are attentive to their needs and willing to serve them in practical ways. Whether it's bringing a meal, running an errand, or simply being there to listen, our actions can provide much-needed relief and support during difficult times. [12:14]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one specific way you can offer practical help to someone in need this week. How can you take the first step in reaching out to them?

Day 5: Crying Out to God and Embracing Community Support
In times of shock, it is vital to cry out to God for strength and allow others to support us. Psalm 50:15 encourages us to call on God in our day of trouble, and He will rescue us. Isolation can hinder healing, so we must embrace the community around us. It is okay to be vulnerable and accept help from those who care about us. By reaching out to God and others, we open ourselves to the healing and comfort that comes from being part of a supportive community. This connection can provide the strength and encouragement needed to navigate through difficult times. [14:22]

"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." (Psalm 50:15, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are resisting help from God or others? How can you begin to open yourself to receiving support and strength from your community today?

Quotes

"Because the world is broken and we talked about that last week catastrophes happen to everybody they happen to you they happen to the people sitting next to you they happened to me they happen to to everybody the Bible says this uh there on your outline Ecclesiastes chapter 9:12 people can never predict when hard times might come like a fish in a net or birds in a snare people are often caught by sudden tragedy we we're just caught out of the blue uh by sudden tragedy things just happen and you don't plan them you don't know they're coming they just come." [00:00:00]

"Now the first reaction to any Rogue wi is going to be shock let me show you some examples the Bible has a lot to say about people in shock let me show you some on the screen here's a verse of from Jeremiah Jeremiah says a horrible and shocking thing has happened and here's one from Ezekiel he says I sat for seven days shocked at what happened to me in other words he said I I couldn't even move I was paralyzed here's one from Isaiah Isaiah says I'm in terrible pain I'm shocked and I hurt so much that I can't hear or see my head spins early evening he says that that was my favorite time you like to watch TV early evening my favorite time has become a nightmare he says I'm in shock my head is spinning I'm numb." [00:40:40]

"Now right now every one of us here are in one of three conditions you either a know somebody who is in a crisis right now like what we just talked about or B you're in one yourself right now or see you don't realize it but you're getting ready to go into one because they happen all the time in life and you are maybe headed into a crisis that you're not prepared for a financial crisis you you get laid off a a Health crisis you get the dreaded call from the doctor the test came back positive or uh or a relational crisis somebody walks out of your life these kind of things just happen a loved one dies and you either know somebody in that situation you're in it right now or you're probably going to be going into it in the near future." [00:01:50]

"The Bible commands us if we're followers of Jesus Christ commands us to help people in pain to help those who are in shock to help people who are going through a difficult time Galatians 62 says this by helping each other with your troubles you truly obey the law of Christ now what is the law of Christ love your neighbor as yourself I've been receiving letters all week one of them just came in yesterday it was handwritten and it said dear Rick and Kay uh your testimony this weekend touched my heart he watched online you rejected cynicism and accepted Grace and had the courage and objectivity to share your journey thank you for your example and for turning your sorrow into someone else El's hope thank you for turning your sorrow into someone else I want our church to be famous for people who turn our sorrow into somebody else's Hope." [00:03:11]

"Show up that's just the first thing you do you just show up you don't stand on the sidelines you don't wait for an invitation now I know when you see somebody in pain they've lost their job they just discovered they've got breast cancer uh a loved one died somebody just asked for a divorce a lot of times I don't know what to say okay let me tell you something you don't have to say anything in fact it would be better if you just show up and shut up you don't need to say anything so stop worrying saying I don't know what to say to my friend who's in shock who's in pain in grief you don't need to say anything you shut up but you show up that's the ministry of presence and by the way don't wait for an invitation you just show up." [00:04:47]

"The greater the grief the fewer words needed the greater the grief the fewer words needed you're going to need to use this when people are in pain around you the greater the grief the fewer words needed now if it you know somebody gets a splinter you can talk to them for half an hour okay and you know if they had a bad hair day you can talk to them on the phone for 30 minutes and comfort them on that if they lose a loved one you just need to be quiet you just need to be there it is the it is the ministry of presence life often doesn't make sense and loss is inevitable when the unexpected comes your way you may find your world is instantly turned upside down and you long to understand why." [00:08:30]

"You take the initiative when you have a friend who's in shock you take the initiative the Bible says in Proverbs 3:27 whenever you possibly can do good to those who need it now do good means anything it could be run an errand offer to babysit bring a meal uh you know mo awn do good means any practical thing you can do whenever you possibly can do those who need it now let me tell you what not to do don't say to somebody who's just gone through a major loss they just got fired they just got a bad report from the doctor's office don't say call me if you need anything that's about the dumbest thing you can say it's sumbody in shock because now you've put it on them they've got to work to get your help call me if you're not taking the initiative you're forcing them to take the initiative don't say call me if you need and by the way don't even say how can I help because when somebody's in shock they haven't the slightest idea how you can help when somebody is in shock they are numb they are paralyzed they pick up a newspaper and they look at it but they can't even read it." [00:11:11]

"When you're in this first stage you need to do two things number one you need to cry out to God cry out to God this is the bare minimum two things to do because this is probably all you can do when you're in shock cry out to God Psalm 50:15 says this call to me in your day of trouble and I will rescue you and you will honor me do you see what that says that you actually honor God when you call out for his help why because you are depending on God it honors God when you depend on God Lamentations chap 2:19 says this get up cry out in the night some of you need to do this right now cry out cry all through the night pour out your heart like water in prayer to the Lord lift up your hands in prayer to him cry out to God God I'm hurting God I'm sad God I'm sick God you just pour out every emotion you got to God that's what God wants you to do you pray you want to listen to some some praise music or something but but open up your heart to God that's the first thing you do the second thing you do is you let others help you I let other people help me and when you're going through shock you need to be easy on yourself don't be rough and by the way never try to make a major decision when you're in shock because it'll almost always be wrong so postpone any major decision." [00:14:22]

"Be easy on yourself take it take it easy and accept assistance from others let other people help you you know I love the fact that my neighbors my neighbors took my trash cans out I didn't ask him to do that but they take him out and put him back I had neighbors who went and washed my car last week my my neighbor Yasser who's a Muslim insisted on driving me to the first service he said I no I'm not goingon to let anybody else Rick I'm your neighbor love your neighbor as yourself and and so he drove me to the first service my neighbor did he said I I I want you driving I'll I'll drive you that's what a friend does Proverbs 17:17 says this a friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity what's that saying the Bible is saying that relationships are best when you're in pain a brother is born for adversity friends are made for Fairweather friends show up you know it's interesting when you're in shock who shows up and who doesn't and what you need to do on that is not judge the people who don't show up because they may be in their own kind of pain but just realize that real friends every real friends walk in when everybody else walks out a brother is born for adversity a friend loves at all time now I'm saying you got to let other people help you when you're in this first stage and the reason why I'm saying this is because your natural reaction when you're in deep pain is to withdraw your natural reaction you get laid off you don't want to talk to anybody you just find out you got breast cancer you don't want to talk to anybody you just had a miscarriage you don't want anybody to know about it you just had some major thing happen in your life it is the human reaction to withdraw into isolation and that is the exact opposite of what you need in shock you need Fellowship." [00:16:39]

"Now I just want to say this if you're going through a crisis right now please let us know please don't hold it in please don't keep it to yourself this church is here to help you we are here to help we have all kinds of groups support we we have all kinds of pastors who can talk we have counselors we have all kinds of things to help you out but we can't help if you hold it in if you keep it a secret if if you're trying to walk through your pain by yourself when there's people willing to help that's not that smart this church is here here for you in fact we want to pray for you in fact I want to pray for you right now and I'm going to ask K to come out and lead us in prayer and if you're going through any kind of pain Financial physical relational spiritual you are going through a tough time right now would you give us the privilege of praying for you what I'm going to ask you to do just a minute you don't have to say anything just silently stand and by your standing saying I'm letting everybody know I need prayer and I'm going to ask Kate to come and pray so okay would you come right now and there she is I snuck up on you you snuck up on me all right would you stand if you need prayer I know some of you are going to say I need prayer so desperately but there's absolutely no way in the world I'm standing up please stand we're not very good in church at comforting each other when you've had a loss and it's been a while people expect you to be over it and past it and some of you you could say well I can't stand because my loss was so long ago but for some of you that wound is so fresh it's as if it was today and some of you are still glued to your seats because you're embarrassed you don't want anybody to know you don't want anybody to see your tears you're afraid if you stand you will break into sobs and I just want to tell you it's okay let's pray together." [00:19:38]

"God these brothers and sisters who are standing before you have lost something or someone so dear so precious and they are bewildered and bowed down with with grief and sadness and shock they didn't see it coming it's out of the blue and yet here has catastrophe landed in their lives and God this is a holy moment because their grief and their shock matters to you and it matters to us and we don't want to push it aside and we want don't want to tell anybody standing to just get over it to move on to look at the future forget what the past just keep moving God we don't do that you don't ask us to do that so may we not do that to each other and I pray for these brothers and sisters who were able to stand and say before you and before this congregation I am wounded by this pain and the suffering and the shock and I don't know what to do so God I pray that as their neighbors we would stand here even in this community and touch hold hands touch the back of somebody touch their elbow to let them know that they are not alone in their pain and their suffering that it's not only you that sees it but the people in the room here feel it and are touched as well by their anguish God your word so clearly says that many of us plant in tears God we have cried we have watered sick beds and crave sights and broken relationships with buckets and buckets and buckets of Tears we have planted in tears but your word also tells us that we will eventually be able to harvest with shouts of Joy so as we stand here really vulnerable and authentic before you and before each other we say that we have planted in tears now God would you do what only you can do would you eventually help us to reap to harvest with shouts of joy for some God that feels like saying we're going to climb Mount Everest someday it just feels so far Out Of Reach and yet it's not Jesus you were a wounded healer you were the wounded healer and your wounds have provided healing for us God with tiny little Seeds of Hope we're willing to believe that someday we too those of us standing weeping were willing to believe that someday God we will become wounded healers as well I pray that bitterness will not sink deep I pray that anger will not consume I pray that doubt and fear and anxiety will not dominate but for these who are carrying shock and grief today God we come to you we come to you we bring all that is broken all that has been shattered all that has crushed us and we say God here is what I've planted in tears please help me reap help me Harvest with shouts of Joy thank you that you never push us away in our sadness and in our grief and our sorrow but you draw Us close in an Embrace and so we Embrace each other we grieve in community we experience loss in community and in that place may we find your comfort in Jesus our wounded healer's name I pray amen." [00:21:47]

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?