It hurts to see people hurting, scared, in danger, and suffering illness. Have you felt some of that? Some seem so mature in dealing with it. I ain't there yet but want to learn from the One who suffered for me.
“O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain That morn shall tearless be.” —George Matheson
Is there anything to gain from pain? Not so sure, but we can grow spiritually and get close to the Lord.. we can even learn what is really so during this hard time. Remember there is zero spiritual growth apart from the living Word.
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." 1 Peter 2:2-3
Trials, tribulations, temptations and testings come and go. We can even praise, pray and glorify Him while in it. Now that would seem counterintuitive. How could I?
“They preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. ‘We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.” Acts 14:22-23
"Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation no matter what the circumstances be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Jesus (God the Son) works when we turn to, trust in, THANK AS AN ACT OF THE WILL, and even praise Him in all things. Not for all things.
We believers have trials that work for us as we turn to the Lord in them, but those of this world have troubles that sadly work against them as they reject or forget the Lord.
Do you have a friend or loved one, a mom dad, son or daughter that is sick? I just lost my young son Nathan-Michael, and almost lost my mom and some dear friends to Covid 19 (a plague, a last days birth pang so to speak). Perhaps you've lost some dear ones as well. So SO Sorry about that!
Got some pain and don't get it? Have you been ill? Is your life being threatened (call the police). Do you have no so long to live according to the doc? Got cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney failure, or some other critical illness that is destroying your body? We are living in a fallen world.
Pain and disease are in this world because of sin, and though we’ve all sinned the one suffering might not be suffering due to their own sin. I’ve seen people beaten and robbed and they didn’t nothing wrong at all. They were simply in a bad location and the wrong time when a selfish greedy violent thug came by.
Does he or she feels alone and forsake, I mean the one you encounter? Who else has known pain like this.. have you met anyone like this? Successively, though not necessarily chronologically, he or she feels:
• Denial (“This can’t be happening to me.”)
• Anger (“Why me, Lord?”)
• Depression (“There’s no hope.”)
• Bargaining (“Lord, get me out of this and I’ll do whatever You say.”)
• Acceptance (“May God’s will be done.”)
These feelings are not experienced once and then forgotten, but return again and again. They are not abnormal feelings, but are generally characteristic of those facing the “valley of the shadow.”
What do you say to such a person? How do you respond?
How can you really identify with and help someone who is experiencing a level of suffering and a sense of finality that is probably beyond what you have personally experienced?
You and I wanna help them right? What can we do, believer?
1. The first thing to do is simply to listen! Listen with empathy to the feelings that are shared. Encourage the person to talk. You may want to probe gently for feelings, some of which lie close to the surface while others may be more deeply submerged.
2. Pass no judgment on the feelings that are shared, even though they may be expressed in anger, self-pity, or bitterness. Just let the inquirer know that you are hearing what he or she says. Don’t appear to be arrogant by saying that you understand the depth of his or her feelings. You can’t possibly understand! But you may tell the person that you care. This can be put into words and also conveyed by the tone of your voice, your gentleness, and your capacity for feeling and identifying:
“Think too of all who suffer” (Hebrews 13:3 phillips) as if you share their pain. We might not share it, but we can listen well and try to grasp what they are going through. This is probably no time for you to introduce your own experience of pain and suffering; just stay the course in the Spirit. Keep the focus on Jesus, prayer (even perhaps silent for a bit) and what the hurting one is feeling and needing most.
3. Do not try to be some sort of “spiritual Pollyanna.” Listen, ask a few questions, find out, evaluate more. Avoid the cliches and all the typical platitudes. Don’t tell the person to “keep a stiff upper lip,” or to be an example in suffering. Do not offer false hopes about healing, or tell the individual that all illness is of the devil and with sufficient faith he or she could be healed. God may or may not heal. These are matters for the Sovereign will. What we can be sure of is that God will spiritually heal those who put their faith in Jesus Christ.
4. Don’t discourage any reference he or she may make about death. This may be a healthy conditioning of the mind for that which is inevitable. References to death can prepare the way for you, as a helper, to ask if there might be any unfinished business to attend to.
This is why we witness: to help prepare people for eternity. In a gentle spirit of kindness and concern, you may ask the inquirer, “If you were to find yourself at the gates of heaven confronted with the question, ‘On what grounds do you seek admission to God’s heaven?’ what would you say?” If indicated, explain the gospel message clearly.
If the needy hurting person aka the inquirer responds affirmatively, share “How to have assurance.” You might also read other portions of Scripture, such as Psalm 23, John 14:1–6, or 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.
5. The commitment to Christ should prepare the way to ask whether the person has any other unfinished business, such as relationships (family, friends), financial matters (a will, perhaps), handling of details in regard to the process of dying, death itself, funeral arrangements, and disposal of the body. Encourage the inquirer to take care of all these matters, seeking either pastoral or professional advice in the process.
6. Suggest that the hurting one, or inquirer find out if his or her community has a hospice agency. These agencies specialize in providing reinforcement to patients whose diseases are considered terminal, and to their families.
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| Thanks for the pic Milada Vigerova |
Jesus is the ultimate solution for us all. God loves you and He still has a good plan. Where else or to who else will you go? He can forgive anyone and raise them from the dead. Did it before and can do it again. Check it out in the Bible.
7. Pray earnestly for the hurting worried person in need, or that inquirer that he or she might have courage and strength to be victorious in pain, committing himself or herself to Him who bore our griefs and our sorrows.
Spend some time in the Scriptures: Psalm 23 John 14:1–6 Philippians 1:21 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.
