Yesterday we talked about the importance of the will to love and one man’s regrets. I want to expand on this today because to be truly effective in showing love, we sometimes have to move out of our comfort zone! One day while returning to my car, I walked down the sidewalk through an area I know well. There was no one around except for a man in a suit around my age, weeping on the sidewalk. As I witnessed this, the pastor in me knew I had to do something for him. I even felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to stop and pray with him, take a moment to speak to him, wrap my arm around him, and ask how he was doing.

As I inched closer, I contemplated what to do and how to approach this man. And so I thought about it and thought about it, but I just kept walking. I got to the next block, and I thought, what am I doing? I literally ran back around the corner, and guess what — he was gone. I never saw him again. It’s moments like this, even years later, that causes me to think about this every time I walk by that spot. I remember how I neglected the Holy Spirit and let down this man who needed a friend.

Friend, we are called to step outside our comfort zones at times like this. Yes, it can feel strange and uncomfortable, but do it anyway! If you encounter someone who tells you they’re having a bad day, ask if you can pray for them. You’ll start to see that reaching out to others in these moments will actually change your attitude, emotional well-being, thoughts, and feelings the whole day!