“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

It’s a truth I stumbled upon by accident. One I said yes to without even knowing it was being offered. It is a truth I believe we need to speak about. And a truth that our world needs us badly to act upon. The truth is this:

Sometimes, we’re the answer. 

In those times when we wish our phone would beep with a text from a friend or even a distant relative—anyone—to tell us we’re loved. In those times when the load we’re carrying can’t seem to get any heavier. And in those times when we’re desperate for change—when things couldn’t seem to get darker, lonelier, or worse than they already are—Sometimes, we’re the answer.

When it seems like superwoman (or man), could do a better job. When we could write down more names than on Santa’s naughty list, of people who have let us down. And when we feel we have little to give—most likely, we’re at least part of the answer to the pain we’re feeling.

I first discovered this as a freshman in college. I had volunteered to be a leader at a local youth ministry with a guy who quickly became my boyfriend, and then just as quickly broke my heart. Around the same time as our break up, I also was struggling to form good friendships at school. So when he stopped volunteering, I could have easily done the same. Life was hard and painful.

But showing up for those high school students each week—being there for them during their break ups and friend troubles—helped me with mine. When I could have done the adolescent thing and thought only of me, they gave me a reason to see beyond myself. Helping others in the midst of our own struggles can offer much needed perspective. It can also bring purpose to our pain.

In her TED talk, writer Hannah Brencher, shares of a time when depression “sucker-punched” her in the gut, as a new college graduate, living in New York City. Inspired by the letters her own mother wrote to her throughout school, she started writing letters to strangers. In them she would write the words she needed to hear. Then she tucked these letters in small spaces all over the city for people to find. Out of her pain, she started a global initiative in which strangers write love letters to one another.

Sometimes, we’re the answer.

I don’t know what this season has been like for you. But for me there has been a lot of talk with loved ones about depression, anxiety, and mental illness. These are widespread yet unspoken struggles in our country. People I care about have experienced deep loss, fought daily internal battles, and have beautifully overcome more than they will ever realize—all because we don’t talk about these things enough. Things that yes, often require counseling and medication. But also struggles that could be less dark and lonely, if we could just see that:

We are part of the answer.

If we could just step out of our own dark corners, and reach toward one another. If we could take our gaze off of our own burdens and stresses long enough to see the load our neighbor is carrying. And if we could be brave enough to risk stigma or the appearance of weakness, and turn to one another and say, “Me too.”  Then we would all see where:

We’re the answer.

We’d stop waiting for superwoman or superman, or someone smarter than us, or the government to do what only God and we can do. We’d stop waiting for someone to show up for us, and instead we’d show up for others. We’d discover how God can bring incredibly good things out of the darkest times, and how we were created for more than just curating our own life (Eph. 2:10).

Yes, there are times we need help. Yes, there are times when we need people to call us, invite us out to dinner, or show up at our doorstep. And yes, there are times when we need people to listen. But there are also times when what we need the most is to think about others. When we need to be the volunteers, the listeners, the initiators, and the “show-uppers.” There are times when our answer lies in being the answer for someone else.

Where are you the answer?

When was someone the answer for you?

Would you like more from Melissaschlies.com delivered to your inbox?

If so, subscribe here.