Making Time for the Hurting

The Gospel in Action

Life is busy.

We have families to care for, careers to build, jobs to do, business to manage, ministries to lead, and homes to sustain as a clean and safe space. Some of us have bigger families than others, and the demands placed upon us feel endless. But in the midst of our packed schedules, there is a question we must ask ourselves: Are we making time for the marginalized, for those who are lost and don’t know where to turn for answers, for the broken hearted, for the ones in and in a desperate emergency and need of Jesus?

Are We Truly There for Those Who Need Us?

It’s easy to tell people to have faith and come to Jesus, but for many, that is not as simple as it sounds. Some don’t know where to turn, where to find Jesus. Jesus is not found in the church. Jesus is found in the believes heart. How can they find our heart if we don’t answer to their call?

Others have been hurt by the church, left feeling unseen, unheard, and unworthy. And for those in deep emotional, psychological and spiritual need, the hardest thing to find is often a representative of Jesus on this earth who is available.

But when we look at Jesus Himself, we see a different picture. He was never too busy. He was never in such a rush to fulfill His mission that He neglected the one in need. His actions show us what it means to truly live out the Gospel—not just in words, but in presence, compassion, and love.

Jesus Stopped for the One

One of the clearest examples of this is found in Mark 5:21-34. Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus’ dying daughter when something unexpected happened—a woman who had been suffering from an issue of blood for twelve years reached out in desperation and touched the hem of His garment.

Instantly, she was healed.

Jesus could have kept walking. He had an urgent mission—Jairus’ daughter was dying, and time was critical. Yet, instead of continuing forward, He stopped. He turned and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” (Mark 5:30). His disciples were confused—there was a pressing crowd all around Him.

Jesus knew that someone in that crowd didn’t just need physical healing; she needed to know that she mattered.

The woman, trembling, confessed that she had been the one to touch Him. Jesus didn’t just acknowledge her—He affirmed her. He said, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34).

He could have let her walk away in silence, healed but unnoticed. Instead, He took the time to confirm the miracle, to restore not just her body but her dignity.

There’s a Psychological and Emotional Impact on Being Seen

From a psychological perspective, what Jesus did in that moment was crucial. Studies show that one of the greatest emotional wounds a person can experience is feeling unseen or unheard. Rejection and neglect can lead to depression, anxiety, and even physical symptoms of stress and illness.

For many non-believers, their struggle is not just a lack of faith—it is a lack of trust that anyone truly sees them or cares. They may have encountered Christians who were too busy, churches that felt impersonal, or religious spaces that emphasized rules over relationship.

Jesus models something different. He was not just about performing miracles; He was about restoring identity and worth. In stopping for the bleeding woman, He didn’t just heal her—He redefined her. After twelve years of being an outcast, suffering alone, she was publicly declared Daughter.

This is why our presence matters. We may not have the power to heal, but we have the power to stop, listen, and care. And in doing so, we become the hands and feet of Jesus on earth. He can HEAL, He can RESTORE through us.

Jesus Always Showed Up Where He Said He Would

Throughout His ministry, Jesus made Himself available:

• He went to Peter’s mother-in-law when she was sick (Mark 1:29-31).

• He traveled to Lazarus’ tomb, despite the risks (John 11:1-44).

• He took time to dine with sinners and tax collectors, even when it was frowned upon (Luke 19:1-10).

• He responded to Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, even when others told him to be quiet (Mark 10:46-52).

• He waited at the well for the Samaritan woman, knowing she needed an encounter with grace (John 4:1-26).

In each of these moments, Jesus didn’t just perform miracles—He was present. He gave His full attention, His full compassion, and His full love. He wasn’t too busy, He was organized, He had a ministry in order so that He could be where He was needed.

And in doing so, He showed us what the Gospel looks like in action.

Are We Too Busy for the Gospel?

As followers of Christ, we must ask ourselves: Are we making time for those who need us most?

We often excuse ourselves with the weight of responsibilities—family, work, ministry. But Jesus had three years to complete His earthly mission. Three years to teach, heal, train disciples, and establish the Kingdom. And yet, He never rushed past the one who needed Him.

Yes, there were times when He sent His disciples ahead, delegating tasks that didn’t require Him personally. But when a moment required His presence, He showed up.

How often do we brush people off with a “I’ll pray for you” instead of actually stopping to listen? How many times do we see someone struggling but assume someone else will step in? How many opportunities do we miss to bring Jesus to those who have been marginalized, abandoned, and hurt? How many times have you said I’ll be there and years go by and you never show up?

Being Jesus’ Hands and Feet

The world is full of people like the woman with the issue of blood—people who are searching, hurting, and wondering if anyone sees them. If anyone will actually come to their rescue, hurting marriage at the brink of divorce, being judge instead of aided, parents with their hearts in distress for their children’s, and even children crying in silence for the pain of their parents—resourcing to dangerous and temporary relief. Many of them have been let down by Christians who were too busy, too distracted, or too focused on their own calling to stop and notice.

The true Gospel is not just about preaching—it is about living in a way that reflects Christ’s love.

• It’s taking time to truly listen to a friend who is struggling.

• It’s reaching out to someone who has distanced themselves from church.

• It’s offering support to a stranger in need, without expecting anything in return. Without judgement is they don’t come to church next Sunday.

• It’s being available when God calls, even when it’s inconvenient.

• It’s feeding the hungry and clothing the poor.

The love of Jesus is not just something we tell people about—it is something they experience through us.

Bringing Restoration to the Heart

When Jesus stopped for the woman with the issue of blood, He did more than heal her body. He restored her heart. He gave her back her identity, her dignity, and her peace.

And that is what we are called to do.

We may be busy, but when we take time to be present for the lost, the broken, and the ones who don’t know where to turn, we bring healing. We bring God’s love. We bring restoration to the heart.

Because that is the Gospel—not just preached, but lived.

Who is in need of your help today? What are you doing about it? Are you sending someone else?

If you are hurting, lost, confused, alone, upset, and in need of a daily prayer—please send your prayer request.

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If you’re a leader who needs someone to speak to your congregation or leaders – connect with me.

New Hope MHCLC: A Whole Person Approach