Often love calls us into supporting roles – focusing primarily on the needs of others. And our needs rightly take a back seat in these moments. But taking a back seat should not be to the point of neglect and we must still care for our souls even as we’re supporting the needs of others.
For instance, we’re clearly in the supporting role as our wife goes through labor and delivery, as we walk with a loved one through cancer treatments, or when we’re simply being a listening ear for a friend waiting on his professional breakthrough.
While we might play an essential role in these stories, we’re not the primary focus. Our job here is simply to support others through the major events in their life. And we risk robbing others of the care and attention they need when we make their stories about us.
All the same, this is not to neglect the care for our own souls. Inasmuch as we’re supporting others in their time of need, our heart and story still matter as well. And we’re always on the frontlines of our story.
As such, it’s helpful to regularly consider the cost of supporting others – not to stop or to become selfish with our strength, but simply to recognize the toll it takes on our souls.
While we might regularly play a supporting role to others, our hearts should never become secondary in our own stories. We must learn to care for it with utmost importance to continue having what it takes to show up and love others well
Bitterness and resentment quickly take root when we’re consistently supporting others while neglecting the care for our own souls.
In the end, faithfully support others through the challenges of life. And remember your heart and story still matter as well. Don’t neglect your soul care just because you’re in a supporting role.
Photo by Alex Blăjan on Unsplash
