Read: Romans 12: 9 - 15
"I Hurt Too"
"...weep with them that weep"--Romans 12:15b.
Daily there are people near us who are hurting inside. Our friends, family members, those with whom we work, people we sit by in church, our leaders...all Christians from time to time suffer inner pain and hurt.
Our Bible reading today instructs us who are Christians to: hate evil (v9); hold to good (v9); love one another (v10); not be lazy (v11); excitedly serve the Lord (v11); pray (v12); give to the needy (v13); open our homes to others (v13); rejoice with Christians when good things happen and weep with those when sorrow comes (v15). When people hurt, we should hurt with them.
Once, when I was going through a great trial, a dear friend gave me a note. Here is part of what she said. "...because you are my friend and you are hurting, I hurt too. You are constantly in my prayers. May a little bit of the pain be replaced with joy this very day..." This note was of great encouragement to me. It was a source of sweet comfort. I keep the note in my Bible and read it often.
During this same time another friend called and asked me to go for a walk. I did and while we were walking she let me cry on her shoulder. Another friend brought over a coffee cake. Another stopped by and with a trembling lip said, "I understand you have a hurt, I am praying for you." These friends were saying to me, "I hurt too."
The trial has passed but the memory of those caring friends will remain with me the rest of my life. Is someone you know hurting? Is someone you know going through a great trial ? Knowing someone cares makes a difference. Will you take time to "weep with them that weep?" [FCC]
THOT: "I had a broken heart to mend,
God mended it by sending a friend." [Jo Ann]
TODAY: Let some hurting person know you care.
Read: James 5:13 - 16