Sometimes no matter how much we try to help others and spin our time and energy to share all we know, they still don't get it! They want to go their own way and live how they like. If you're not careful (and watchful), you'll get mad (really mad) because it seems that they're treating your hard work and life-giving messages as trash. You feel like you've wasted your time. Well, before you go down that road (which you should not go), let's consider this...

1 Corinthians 3:5-8 (NLT) - After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God's servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God's workers. And you are God's field. You are God's building.

Here, Paul is speaking about the people siding with specific ministers of the gospels, but he writes how he planted the word in the people's heart, another watered it, but God made the seeds grow.

As we cross the paths of people, we meet them at various crossroads that require specific things. There are times when someone needs a 'Word' from God; other times they need to see an illustration or display of His power; then maybe another 'Word' or two; or they need to be left for God to deal with...even if they still seem stuck...

We don't always understand what is going on in the lives of others and think the solutions to their problems are easy. Though it may come with a 'simple' solution standing on the 'outside,' we should show a little empathy to their plight and assist them where we can.

When you don't know what to do (or done all you felt you could) - PRAY! When your words are not getting through - PRAY! See, some of the things we try to do requires their permission (or at least their acceptance), but we can pray with or without their acceptance or knowledge!

God may use you to deliver that word/deed or He may send someone else. Don't be so concerned for them to act upon the word YOU shared or the act YOU made, but pray that a change will manifest and the person's heart will be drawn closer to God. It is God that will bring the increase anyway, not you...and especially not in your time!!

Your heart may hurt because you truly want to see a change and there's nothing wrong with that. But instead of getting upset or worrying about it, bring your concerns to the Lord. Pour out the concerns on your heart and intercede on behalf of the person. The last thing you want is to live angry, offended, and hurt - how can God use you then?!

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) - Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 37:7 (NIV) - Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

Let God use you! Intercede and watch the seeds of others grow and blossom! He will help them at the 'right' time!

Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NLT) - Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time.