On a recent Sunday many of us read what Jesus did when he encountered a very troubled man. This man was out of his mind, naked and confrontational. This man was possessed by so many demons the townspeople called him Legion and tried to contain him with chains and guards.

If you are a Christian you should know how this story goes. (Read Luke 8:26-39) The man talks to Jesus, Jesus frees him of all that is bedeviling him and he gains his right mind. He is restored to dignity, clothed and takes his place at Jesus’ feet as a newly minted disciple.

If you identify with this man who has oppressive and overwhelming problems I pray this story brings you hope. You may think you are only the many problems you face and nothing more. Perhaps you feel forces beyond your control will forever keep you from being yourself and living the love God created you for.

Please open yourself to the possibility that a true encounter with the living Christ is your way to the freedom and life you ache for. There is a way out of your depression and despair. Christ’s healing and love is available to you through prayer, study, worship and living God’s way in love — one step, one moment at a time. Talk to any Christian friend about it and they should support you with the love of Jesus as you seek him.

If we know people who have deep problems and we are overwhelmed with their needs this story gives us hope too. Help comes from Christ so we need to be like Christ and rely on his Spirit.

Jesus started by asking the man’s name and engaging him in real conversation about the root source of his problems and despair. We are not Christ so it will take us longer to get to that level of relationship with someone but we shouldn’t stop trying to be authentic and real like Christ was.

We have to remember to pray for the Holy Spirit to give us empathy, wisdom and enduring steadfastness to be truly helpful friends. The Holy Spirit can keep us from getting discouraged as we engage those in deep need in real relationships. Helping is possible but not easy. It will cost us time, energy and money but Christ knows it’s worth it.

In the story, Legion’s community asks Jesus to leave. They look the solution to everybody’s problems right in the face and reject him. Why? You see, for the troubled man to be cured, Jesus sent the demon trouble makers into a huge herd of pigs which then run into the lake and drown. If Jesus had just sent the demons away, the townsfolk would probably have been happy to have Jesus stay. But they eject Jesus because Legion’s cure cost them their pigs. We happily receive help and have others get help when it doesn’t cost us our time and our money. But that is not how healing works.

Jesus included the resources of the community in the cure of that man Legion. And Jesus was ministering to the community when he denied Legion’s request to leave that place once he was well. For the good of the community, Jesus commanded Legion to stay there praising God. As Legion lived his new life among them, the community would continue to see and hear about the healing goodness of God.

We want to live in places that help each other live to our full God-given potential. Don’t give up hope. We dare to put in the effort it will take to help each other find that whole and happy life. Praying for everyone else to know God’s love and live Christ’s way and for us to know and live it better is a good place to start. As Christ is willing to free us from the problems that are beyond our control, we should make ourselves willing to bear the costs that are required to make the whole community healthier.

We live in a community that pools resources to help those who are facing overwhelming times through the Ministerial Benevolence Fund. And we have multiple caring churches where we can know each other by name, and support each other in real relationships and steadfast friendships. Our hospital and many businesses offer personalized services. By lovingly prioritizing and paying the costs of healing and wholeness together, we all thrive just as God intends.