Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

The Lord Cares for our Needs

As a helping professional, you will often encounter clients who are broken, lost, and in need of encouragement. Many clients will feel abandoned, abused, neglected by others, and possibly even unloved by God. Case managers will need to help clients regain confidence in their value and ensure that their best interests are met in terms of the human services provided to them.

Most students will eventually work in a secular workplace and may not openly be able to share about God. We also know that clients will come from many different belief systems, and Christianity may not be their worldview. However, case managers can still let their light shine for God’s glory. You can share how your own needs have been met and how provisions were made to advance you to where you are today. Helping professionals are in the business of giving hope and can use discernment on sharing their faith if the opportunity arises. If the opportunity to share God’s hope is not appropriate, you can still provide encouragement and services to advance your client to a new mindset and level of functioning. Each person has value, and human service professionals need to be clear in communicating the role that our inner voice plays on our personal outcomes.

Read this brief article for more information on the importance of self-talk:

• Krauss, S. (2019, September 28). Keep your self-talk positive by focusing on the here and now. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201909/keep-your-self-talk-positive-focusing-the-here-and-now

It is important to have a collection of personal examples that you can share with clients. We all come from different backgrounds, but we have one commonality – we all have a need to feel valued, and we all have an inner voice that directs our actions.

• Consider these thoughts:
  • Can you think of one pivotal moment in your life when the Lord provided for an urgent need and demonstrated your value through His eyes?
  • How can you prepare yourself for the challenges of dealing with an underserved, at-risk population(s)?
  • Do you have areas that need growth when it comes to your inner voice?

Devotionals require you to post an initial post by the end of the week (Day 7). Replies to peers in Devotionals are highly encouraged, but not required.