How do you practice these 2 works of mercy?

[Alma]

Two of the spiritual works of mercy are to instruct and to counsel, but it doesn’t explain if you must wait until someone actually asks you for help.

In my experience, people does not like to get unsolicited advise; they probably won’t do what you suggest and they get angry at you.

Should one do it anyway, because it is the loving, Christian thing to do, or should one refrain from doing it?

What is your experience with this?

 

[puzzledtoo]

It has been my experience that even if some advice is solicited it isn’t heeded so I’m learning to grow thicker skin. I try to stick to giving advice only when asked for but sometimes fall into the trap of offering some when not asked for. So this is a struggle for me as well. The ego wants to be known for helping and the ego gets bruised if it isn’t listened to. As my grandmother used to say “What’s a mother to do?”

 

[Blessedwithfive]

I instruct the ignorant when I teach CCD and send information home to the parents on the classes in newsletters. I also council the doubtful by being a friend to another when they are going through hard times. I try to weave the power of God and prayers into our conversations. Those two are the easy ones, at least for me.

 

[mommy_k]

By example and living the gospel.