BIBLE PASSAGE:
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be
removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be
shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
(Isaiah 54:10)
MEDITATION:
When we are going through difficult times, it can sometimes be
difficult to find others with adequate compassion to console and
comfort us. It doesn’t mean that others are not concerned and
that they do not want to help, but sometimes their best efforts
fall short of what we need at the time.
Many years ago, a hospital chaplain spoke to a group I was with,
and one of the things he said was,
“When people are hurting, they need to know we care,
and one of the ways we can comfort them, is to listen”.
Look at what the scriptures say about this:
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak
and slow to become angry. (James 1:19)
He emphasized the importance of our availability when someone
needs us, and how we should avoid putting additional pressure on
ourselves by thinking that we need to have the right things to say;
our goal should be simply to listen. If others want our opinions,
they will ask us, and even when they do, it is okay to say, “I don’t
know”, or “I’m not sure, but I’ll pray for God’s guidance”.
We will never have all the answers, but God does! Sometimes His
greatest revelations are shown during times of trouble. Why?
Because He genuinely loves us and cares about us, and He knows
our level of sensitivity is heightened when we are having difficulties.
Many times the things we perceive as problems and tragedies are
used by God to draw us to Himself. He shuts one door and opens
another one which are both for our benefit. Even when there seems
to be no way out, He reveals to us some avenues of consolation and
relief that we never would have expected, or thought of.
For instance, imagine how the Israelites felt when Pharaoh finally
allowed them to go free and then assembled his army to pursue
them and bring them back into slavery. Pharaoh’s army chased
them all the way to the Red Sea where they were in a hopeless
situation – the army behind them, and the Red Sea in front of them.
The Israelite leaders had no answers and the people were faced with
making one of two choices – jump in the sea and drown, or return to
slavery. But then God gave them a third option which was much better.
From heaven, He reached down and gave them a dry path through the
sea to a new land away from the problems and turmoil they were facing.
His solution required a new level of faith – they had to trust that God
would keep the wall of water away until they were safe again. Imagine
yourself in their situation – relief was ahead, but to their right, to their
left, and to their rear problems were bearing down on them. They didn’t
have time to evaluate their situation and weigh their options, they could
only trust and have faith in their Creator who loves them.
ACTION:
Maybe you are in a difficult situation and it seems there is no way out.
You have considered all of your options and none of them seem plausible.
Learn from the Israelites that when all seems hopeless, God has His way.
Put your trust and faith in Him as you await His answer to your problems.
And, never forget that God loves you and wants you to have relief
from your seemingly hopeless turmoil. This is the kind of loving
and caring Creator who knows more about you and your needs
than you do yourself.
If you know someone who is going through a tough time, remember
that God may choose you to be involved in consoling and comforting
them. Some more good advice I received from the chaplain was,
“They are in the hospital to ‘get well’, so if you go to
visit someone in the hospital, plan on no more than a
five minute visit. If they want you to stay longer, they
will ask you to stay.”
Additionally, don’t say things like, “I know how you feel”, or mention
someone else who has had the same issue. You may have even had the
same issue, but people react to things differently, so we never really
know how they feel about what they are dealing with.
And don’t say things like, “I was on my way to (a place) and wanted
to stop by to see how you are doing”. They need to know that you
made a special trip to see how they are doing, that you are praying
for them, and that you are willing to help with anything if needed.
It can often be a challenge to close the conversation and leave. The
chaplain said the best way to do it is say, “I’m going to go now” and
leave. It’s simple, and if they want you to stay longer, they will tell
you.
Pray,
“Heavenly Father thank You for Your love and concern for
me and any difficulties in my life. Thank You for how Your
Word has taught me that even when I think there is no solution,
You can provide me with what I need, and could never have
imagined. Thank You that whenever I have no way to turn,
I can turn to You. I pray that the difficulties I face will always
draw me closer to You, and that they will prepare me to be
helpful to others by showing compassion, concern, and being
a good listener.”
BLOG: utvolwoody.wordpress.com
BREAD FOR BELIEVERS 
Discussion
No comments yet.