The Importance of Relating to Others: Paul’s Approach to Reaching People

A scream filled the room—it was thunder, accompanied by a flash of lightning, that frightened the lady. Meanwhile, others in the same space remained calm and quiet. This moment reminded me that each of us responds to the same situation differently.

The Apostle Paul understood this concept when he wrote, “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).

For Paul, the scream might have been an opportunity to relate, not to react with fear, but to empathize with the lady’s fear. Paul was willing to adapt his approach in order to help others hear and accept the message of salvation.

In our own lives, the question we must ask ourselves is: What must I do to help? Our goal should be to meet people where they are, understanding their unique reactions and offering compassion, so that some might embrace the message of hope and salvation.