I’ve been thinking about all the care being given out these days. Social media is flooded with words of encouragement, songs of joy and ideas for survival. Hospitals, medical care personnel, pharmacies, grocery stores, small businesses etc. are all trying to provide some sort of comfort in our world today. Hey…even Verizon, who gives no breaks, has gifted its customers extra data to the end of April. Now that’s Amazing!!!!!!! People are confused and hurting. Life has truly changed for us all.

God taught me many things in 2018 when my husband went through his battle with cancer. One very important lesson He clarified for me was how to effectively comfort others during heavy trials of life. Today, I will share the first part of this lesson He clearly showed me. In the next article we will cover Part 2. (Please read II Corinthians 1:3-7 before you continue reading this article.)

1. Enter into their pain with them.

I’m not saying to take up their offense…this is often counterproductive and emotionally clouds our ability to think and speak truth. Instead, we are to empathize with them. It is so important for them to know that you understand and hurt with them.
Isaiah 66:13 is a priceless verse of Scripture that so graphically portrays this truth. It says, “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.” Here, “comforteth” means, “sighs with”. For illustration sake… sigh right now. Do you get the intent of this verse? When we hurt, God sighs with us. He enters into that hurt with us and He sighs. He feels our pain and groans with us.
As a child, don’t you remember how your mother comforted you when you were hurt? She held you and did all she could to make it better. That is our God personified. Wow!!! His comfort is limitless.

AS YOU ARE ENTERING INTO THAT PAIN WITH THEM…

• Listen to them!
Don’t interrupt. This is not the time to give counsel unless they ask for it. That comes later. They just need to know you care.

• Care for their immediate needs. This includes any physical, emotional or spiritual needs.
Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
The law of Christ referred to here is the 2nd Commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself”.
The word “burden” is an extra heavy load. It is difficulties or problems people have trouble dealing with.
To “bear” is to carry with endurance. In other words, we are in it for the long haul. Therefore, continue to check up on them, support them and care for any on-going needs as you are able.

We are comforting others like God comforts us when we “Enter into their pain with them”. May God grant us this grace for others as He so graciously gifts to us.

Written by Lynn Gleiser.
To contact Lynn, leave us a comment, email comments@thebeautifulspirit.org, or message us on Facebook.