- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 11,641
"I have heard all this before. What miserable comforters you are! ...I could say the same things if you were in my place. I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you. But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief. Job 16:2, 4-5 NLT
Sometimes, nothing anyone can say will comfort us. The pain is too recent, too raw for any words to help. That’s when just being there counts the most—as Job’s friends did when they first came to him in his grief and loss.
But comfort is more than commiseration. At some point, we must gently and firmly reconnect with the power of Christ’s resurrection. His promises of seeing God face-to-face and death, sorrow, and suffering vanquished forever sustain us.
We seldom learn the reasons for the pain God allows. We learn to focus on Him and His promises of restoration, to give and receive grace. Go slow with someone who is hurting. Grieve with them, and be slow to weigh in, especially with opinions. Wait for them to speak; be ready to listen well. Ask God to equip you with what the person needs. It’s not about fixing them but about finding some way to show them Jesus. He is our burden bearer, especially when we need to offer and receive comfort.
Prayer: Jesus, You are the great healer of all hurts. Send me Your comfort in my pain, and help me comfort others by reminding them of You.
Sometimes, nothing anyone can say will comfort us. The pain is too recent, too raw for any words to help. That’s when just being there counts the most—as Job’s friends did when they first came to him in his grief and loss.
But comfort is more than commiseration. At some point, we must gently and firmly reconnect with the power of Christ’s resurrection. His promises of seeing God face-to-face and death, sorrow, and suffering vanquished forever sustain us.
We seldom learn the reasons for the pain God allows. We learn to focus on Him and His promises of restoration, to give and receive grace. Go slow with someone who is hurting. Grieve with them, and be slow to weigh in, especially with opinions. Wait for them to speak; be ready to listen well. Ask God to equip you with what the person needs. It’s not about fixing them but about finding some way to show them Jesus. He is our burden bearer, especially when we need to offer and receive comfort.
Prayer: Jesus, You are the great healer of all hurts. Send me Your comfort in my pain, and help me comfort others by reminding them of You.
