What to do when you’re overwhelmed by the suffering you see

I’ve seen the commercial countless times, and every time I watch it, I feel both guilt and inspiration. This State Farm ad shows a bearded man who is followed by all the needs he sees: the abandoned dog, the military veteran, the at-risk student, the homeless man, and the polar bear. By the end of the commercial, an entire crowd is following him everywhere he goes, and the background music lilts, “I need you… don’t let me down.”

As an Achiever, someone who leans more on self and less on the God of amazing grace, this commercial inspires me to act. As a woman with a tender heart, I cannot stand all the suffering I see, and I feel guilt that I’m not doing more.

So what is a tenderhearted woman who loves Jesus to do? What is my role in alleviating suffering in a world overwhelmed by need?

Before we step into our role, we must remember these three truths.

God is God. As John the Baptist said, “I am not the Christ,” and neither are we. I cannot possibly meet every need of every person, animal, and climate. I’m not infinite, omni-present, or omniscient, but God is. The belief that I can (and should) help in every situation is wrong, and it sets me up for disappointment.

Scripture tells us that even Jesus didn’t restore every situation. He didn’t judge the legal argument between two brothers, He didn’t heal all the people, and He didn’t stay in towns even when the people asked. Jesus, while 100% divine, was 100% human, so, just like us, He was limited by time and presence.

God doesn’t ask me to do all the things . God created us with limits. It’s a gift to be limited by time, talent, and finances because it forces us to narrow our focus and to get creative with how and when to use our resources. God doesn’t expect us to solve the world’s problems.

My circle of concern will always be larger than my circle of influence. I will always care about the mistreatment of animals, hate child abuse, and want to shelter refugees. Those hurts and needs will always be a part of my circle of concern. And yet, my circle of influence is where God has placed me to do the work that He’s specifically invited me to do. It’s okay to have a tender heart, but let’s remember that we will always care about more than we can possibly do. God wired us this way, and that’s a good thing.

Thankfully, God gives us three directives as our tender hearts observe suffering that we can’t do anything about.

We shouldn’t avoid the suffering or feel guilty for not doing more. We’re to walk with people in their suffering. The way of Jesus is the way of pain, suffering, and pouring out. We shouldn’t tune out the hurt but walk with God and others through it.

We see the State Farm ad or another commercial asking for our help, and we feel guilt for not doing “more.” Well-meaning pastors have preached that we should pray more, give more, do more, and evangelize more. More. More. More. But the way of Jesus is not guilt that we’re not doing enough—it’s conviction over a specific issue. God’s design for us is not service we’re guilted into but obedience to what He’s asked of us.

Have you asked God where and how He wants you to serve the hurting world that He loves so much?

We are to pray continually. Kevin DeYoung writes in Crazy Busy, “There are some issues we should all care about, some issues that should at least prick our hearts and prompt us to pray. Not giving a rip about sex slaves is not an option for the Christian. Not doing something directly to combat this particular evil is an option.”

Just because we don’t give to every cause, serve at every non-profit, or volunteer for every committee doesn’t mean we don’t care. Instead, our care should be our cue to pray. But praying seems so small. It may seem inactive to us, but it’s not so much the action but the Object: we’re praying to an almighty God who works continually to propel His purpose forward.

What ministry (local, national, global) needs your prayers?

We are to accept that there are all sorts of ways to be Christ to others. God’s way is expansive—He provides through many people more than one way to help and serve those in need. We may be prompted to act, give financially, or to pray. There are a million and one ways that God works all things together for our good and His glory, and they don’t always look the same from one person to another. Let’s accept that what we’re called to do, pray about, and give to financially may not be the same as our sister in Christ.

What gifts, talents, platform, and resources do you possess that you could use to eliminate suffering and to help the least of these?

We don’t need to watch a State Farm ad to know that there’s suffering in our world. But we don’t need to swing between extremes: either doing nothing and averting our eyes or doing everything and burning out to the detriment of our family. As always, the solution is centered in Christ: trust that God is God and He will direct us where we need to go.

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