It seems like everywhere you look today you can find a “support group” or “support system” to help someone caught up in serious problems, addiction or despair; but what about the Christian? Do we have a support system? Those addicted to alcohol have support systems. Those addicted to drugs have support systems. Those who have eating disorders, anger disorders, or marital problems have groups. Christians are not immune to the problems or addictions of this world. Christians will fall into sin, temptation, and despair at times. Where can the Christian go for help? Some Christians may need the help of some of the support systems offered by the world, but the greatest and most beneficial support the Christian has was provided by God himself. The problem seems to be that many Christians who go to the world for help either do not know what God has provided, do not have the faith it will work, or has not taken advantage of the many blessings we have. Let’s examine some of the characteristics of the ultimate support system that God has provided for those who follow Him.
1. We have the Word of God. God has given us “All things pertaining to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory” (2 Pet. 1:3). Paul told Timothy “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16,17). As Christians we must believe these statements to be true. That means that God has provided us with everything we need in His Word to deal with anything that comes our way whether good of bad. God has given us the tools to use, but they don’t help if we don’t use them. We can look to God’s Word for the answer to any problem we may face. We can also look back at men and women in the Bible who suffered through similar ordeals, and see how they used God’s help to overcome. God’s Word is part of our support system, but it only works if we open it and study it.
2. We have the support of other Christians. This is a major component of God’s support system. The New Testament is full of passages telling us to lean on one another and bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2, Rom. 12:19-16). We are told to exhort and edify one another constantly (e.g., Heb. 3:13; 10:24,25). We come together for spiritual nourishment on the Lord’s Day and mid week Bible study. The support comes from edifying and confiding in one another. Unfortunately, this part of the support system does not get used like it should because brethren are afraid to open up to one another in fear of embarrassment or shame. This shouldn’t be so. When we fail to use one another as God intended, we cut our amount of support short.
3. We have the power of prayer. Who else better to talk to about your problems than God? Many Christians do not benefit from the power of prayer because they fail to talk to God about what is going on in their lives. We can talk to God about anything. The apostle Peter said that we could cast all our care upon Him, because He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7). Again, many of us do not benefit from the support God gives us because we are not taking full advantage of all He has blessed us with.
Christians can seek help for their problems outside the Lord’s church, but we must not forget that as Christians we actually live everyday as part of the ultimate support system that is overseen by God Himself. -Ed
