~By Sharon Czerwien
If I asked the following question, how would you respond? Who refreshes your heart? Does anyone specific come to mind? Maybe several people come to the forefront of your mind.
For me, if I think back to past bumpy times in my life, I can think of several people who have refreshed me during my trials.
I think of the late Dr. (“Uncle”) Myron Houghton. Though we were not officially family, I claimed him as an uncle. He refreshed my heart after a literal bump in my life (when I hit a deer in a road with my car). Out of the blue, Dr. Houghton covered the cost of my insurance deductible. What a blessing! Not to mention, he refreshed my heart through his solid preaching and teaching when he visited my state.
There are so many more people who God has used to refresh my heart, but I will not be able to name all of them here!
A Recent Find
I recently came across a verse that was a real eye-opener for me.
“For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother” (Philemon 1:7, NKJV).
The Apostle Paul wrote these words to Philemon. Awkwardly (for Philemon), Paul had to write him a letter to help bring about reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus. Nonetheless, though, Paul had some encouraging thoughts for Philemon at the start of this letter.
Paul acknowledged the following positive characteristics.
Philemon was:
1. Loving to others
2. Filled with faith in God
3. Refreshing to the hearts of fellow Christians
What an honor to refresh another person's heart! Such refreshment can bring joy and comfort to another. Wow!
Getting Practical
Sure, it is a pleasure to think back to those who have refreshed our hearts. Let’s turn the tables, though. How about we ask ourselves: how can we refresh someone else? What specific thing(s) can we do to bless someone around us?
Refreshing somebody does not have to entail paying off the person’s car payment (thankfully, right!). It could involve something like:
1. Sending a friend a handwritten note to let your friend know that you are praying for his or her specific need
2. Bringing a family a necessary meal or two
3. Sending a targeted Bible verse to a friend via text message
4. Faithfully investing in a child’s life
5. Offering genuine forgiveness when someone wrongs you
6. Praising God in your hard time instead of cursing God’s plan in front of a friend
The list is endless. As God puts creative ideas on our hearts, let’s find joy in refreshing others in their genuine time of need.
In the meantime, feel free to write a comment below about who has refreshed you. I would love to hear your examples!
Take it easy,
Sharon