“How can I help?” Often one of the first questions asked when death, sickness, job loss or some calamity strikes someone we love. We want so much to help but often do not know what to do. Desperate to lighten the load, we seek even the simplest task to offer some relief but often are met with a blank stare. Facing death, cancer or constant turmoil can leave a person feeling so lost and overwhelmed that even coming up with the simplest task can seem impossible. Grappling with what they are facing, they have no idea of what they might need. Though we want to bring some kind of relief, there really is nothing we can do but watch and wait.

So, what can you do when it seems nothing can be done? God knew we would have times of watching the suffering of those we love. He knew we would need examples to show us what to do when we just do not know what to do. God’s Word is filled with examples, but I believe we can get the idea from just a few.

In Luke 5, Jesus had just returned and was teaching in a home. Four men with a paralytic friend heard Jesus was there and also had the power to heal. Because of their great love for their friend, they carried him on a cot to the house. Upon arriving, they found great crowds filling the house. They knew they would need to find another way to lay their friend before Jesus.

“But finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” (Luke 5:19-20)

With a desperate desire to help their friend, the four men did the only thing they could do. They made a hole in a roof and lowered their friend before Jesus. The paralytic man found forgiveness and healing because of the faith of his friends.

Again, Jesus is found in the middle of a crowd in Luke 8, ministering to their needs, when Jarius came near.

“And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house.” (Luke 8:41)

Jarius had a 12-year-old daughter, and she was dying. He came to Jesus for help. While he was still sharing his daughter’s need, someone from his household came and told Jarius his daughter had died and not to bother asking Jesus for help. It was too late.

“But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” (Luke 8:50)

Though others doubted, Jarius believed. Jesus came to his house, and though the mourning had begun, Jesus took his daughter by the hand calling “Child, arise.” With the return of her spirit, the girl got up at once. Life returned because her father had faith in Jesus.

Last, in Luke 9, Jesus had come down from a mountain and was met by a crowd, when a man cried out to Him.

“Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him.” (Luke 9:38-39)

Jesus asked for the boy to come, and as he was coming, the demon threw the boy to the ground. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, casting him out. The boy was finally healed because of his father’s faith in Jesus.

In each story, the family and friends brought their suffering one to Jesus. Each had faith that Jesus alone could care for the need, and because of their faith, the need of the suffering one was met.

So, what do you do when it seems nothing can be done? Take the one that you love to Jesus. Share their burdens, their grief, their heartache, and their cares leaving them at the feet of Jesus. Have faith that God alone can meet them in their need, giving them grace for each moment. Even when it seems there is nothing you can do, remember the most important thing you can do is pray. The things they need will be revealed in time, but the greatest need will be met right away as with faith in Jesus, you pray.