Jesus’ words are clear: “in this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33).
We expect it. Often, though, we wish that “you” wasn’t so all-inclusive. It can be harder to watch those we love struggle than it is to suffer ourselves. We don’t always know how to help. During the holiday season of 2020, this is something that might be particularly true, as many of us won’t be gathering and spending time together the way we’re used to.
Whether we’re in person or on a call, here are several ways God’s Word says to respond to the suffering we witness around us.
Whether we're in person or on a call, here are several ways God's Word says to respond to the suffering we witness around us. Click To Tweet1. “Weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15 NLT)
When Lazarus died and his sisters mourned, Jesus wept. Standing with His friends, mourning their shared loss, Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. He knew His friend wouldn’t be in the ground forever. Yet Jesus, fully man and fully God, grieved with them (John 11).
So often our first reaction when we witness pain is to want it to end immediately. Rather than experience natural, God-created emotions, we want to skip to what we’re comfortable with. We’d prefer to point to how it’s going to be okay or to put it in perspective.
Yet, as the passage in Romans 12 states, we are also to weep with those who weep.
Like Jesus, even as we know that God has a sovereign plan to work all things for good, we sometimes have to wait for the resolution.
As we hold to God’s ultimate promises, we still need to experience sorrow and other emotions alongside others. There is a time for all things, as Ecclesiastes 3 says, including feeling what is only natural to feel.
2. “Stay here and keep watch” (Matthew 26:38 NIV)
As the time of His death approached, Jesus withdrew to the garden of Gethsemane, bringing with him three friends. He told these three disciples to “stay here and keep watch”. Although the disciples fell asleep and failed to do as Jesus asked, we learn much about what the Lord values in this passage.
At such an emotional time (Jesus sweat blood in anguish!) Jesus desired to have loved ones nearby. They were simply to keep watch, waiting while He prayed and wrestled with the Lord.
The Greek word for “keep watch,” which is transliterated “grégoreó,” literally means “stay awake”. Jesus wanted His friends to be awake with Him in the difficult hour. Many of us have friends whose troubles have them spending sleepless nights and lonesome days wrestling with God and crying out to Him.
What a simple task it is to simply be there, check in, and be aware. The disciples weren’t asked to intervene or intercede. They couldn’t possibly know all the turmoil in Jesus’ soul. But they could stay near and present. We can too.
3. “Comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV)
There is a time for comfort. Just as much as we need to share each other’s burdens, we also must build each other in hope. Paul alludes to our hope –our comfort- in 2 Corinthians 1. He explains: through the experiences we simply cannot bear ourselves, we learn to rely on God.
Our God is our comfort and our hope. He is also our comforter.
Our God is our comfort and our hope. He is also our comforter. Click To TweetNo words we can come up with are as comforting as the truth of the Lord. Suggestions that everything will be okay, or that it will get better soon, are words spoken without full assurance. Plenty of things aren’t okay and don’t get better in this world. Yet we have comfort to offer, and that comfort is what (who) God gives us: His only son.
In times of trouble, our hope is secure. Our God is unchanging. Jesus saves us. Nothing can separate us from His love. He works all things together for good according to His purposes. He is perfect. Christ is sufficient, His power made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
This is the comfort we receive, even as He identifies with our sufferings. Pointing to Him is the best comfort we can give.
What other Biblical responses to others’ struggles can you think of?
{A version of this post was originally published here}
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I love the point that there is a time for sharing truth, but first we need to share in our loved one’s grief. Even knowing that God has a purpose and will work all things together for good, life hurts sometimes and it’s okay to weep.
I’m glad to see you here, Barbara! Yes, I’m really bad about jumping to the truth before weeping with those who weep, so I appreciate that God makes it clear it’s okay to weep. Thanks for sharing in this.
Bethany, this is such good stuff. With so many people hurting right now, thank you for the reminder to be comforting.
Thank you for hosting a great link up too!
Hi Jed, thanks for sharing in this and your encouragement. Yes, so many people are hurting right now.
Thank you also for your post about creativity- I really appreciated it!
Comfort and comforter!
I am often at a loss when I am in the presence of suffering, but that’s ridiculous, given the good counsel you have shared here.
Oh Michele, I am at a loss in the presence of suffering, too. I’m so grateful God lays out wisdom for us in that! May we, by His grace, apply it. Thanks for sharing in this conversation.
Bethany, you have brought wisdom today. May we rely on the Comforter to enable us to bring comfort to those around us.
Thanks for joining in and offering encouragement, Joanne. Amen, may we rely on Him for this!
Such beautiful scripture evidence for how we can love people well, especially when they are suffering. Love it.
Thanks, Becky! I’m so grateful to share in this here with you!
Bethany, I appreciate the reminder that we can comfort others and the biblical guidance on how to do just that.
Debbie, thanks for joining in. I’m so grateful God’s Word speaks to this topic- comfort is not something I’m good at!
Bethany, this is good advice for anytime, but especially now. Sharing the comfort that we received from God is precious, as well as sharing the hope we have in His promises! Thank you!
Thanks, Donna! I’m glad to share in this with you here. Praise God he guides us in offering comfort (and offers us His comfort in the first place!)
Excellent reminders today.
Thanks, Lauren. Glad to share in it here with you!
Such good counsel, Bethany. This line, especially, is resonating with me today … “What a simple task it is to simply be there, check in, and be aware.” You do this well, my friend, and it does make a difference. 🙂
Aw, thank you, Lois! I so appreciate you and your check-ins, too!
A timely message as 2020 nears an end. Many have lost loved ones and knowing how we can comfort them (or seek comfort for ourselves) is important. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for joining in Katherine! It’s such a hard time of year for so many already- and then add in a pandemic!