How to be a light

There have been a lot of downs lately. Unemployment. Deaths. Arguments. Personal Struggles. That's the word that pops into my head when I hear my neighbor, an alcoholic, screaming about me and how young I am and how my mom's married and she's not, while mowing her lawn and not noticing that I'm standing on my front porch watching her. Personal struggles. Or when I see the larger sized girl jogging around my neighborhood constantly, always with a depressed frown and worried expression. Personal struggles. Or my friend who's juggling his family, God, and his own life all at once, and wondering which one he should drop. Personal struggles.
And so I think that personal struggles have something to do with the reason to develop relationships with other people. I think that personal struggles do more than just bring you down. I think that once you are able to over come them you are able to help those who have found themselves in the same situation, and be a light to them in dark times. In my opinion, a lot of people, even Christians, spend too much time looking down at people, too much time shaking their heads in disapproval and not enough time simply being with people who need them, and being a light to those people. I'm guilty of this at times, too.
The best way to help those in need, is to be a light in times of darkness.
The best way to be a light in times of darkness is to show God,
and the best way to show God and his love is to love.
Instead of cramming booklets and handouts with bible stories through the cracks in as many car windows as you can, first have love for the people you're giving them to. I don't believe in scaring people into becoming saved. Telling them stories of hell, to make them want heaven. Instead, explain God's love, and let them want that. 
That applies to people with personal struggles too. Be a light, and give the glory to God. Love the way God does, unconditionally. Stick to your beliefs, but love all the same.
Loving doesn't mean ignoring sin. Loving doesn't mean looking past sin. Loving means fully understanding one's sin, and still not letting your love for them falter.

" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'. This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ "


Matthew 22:37-39