It is
easy to grow cold to the pain and suffering of others when you deal with it
often, yet in the past couple weeks I have seen some of the same things, heard
many similar stories that I’ve heard before.
But my heart continues to hurt with those who hurt.
The Lord said, "I have surely seen
the affliction of My people who are
in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I
am aware of their sufferings.
God is
the same. The Bible shares with us on
many occasions that our God not only knows the pain of His people, but He hurts
with us and does something about it.
Jesus was touched by the death of his friend Lazarus as it says in John
11:35 when Jesus cried. The four Gospels
tell us that when Jesus saw hurting people that He was moved with compassion
for them.
Pain
is real. All around us there are people
who are hurting and need someone to come along side them to encourage, share
and even cry. God does that and so
should we.
Have
you become cold to the pain of the people around you? Do you see the guy or girl on the side of the
road with the sign needing food, or do you see the homeless person sleeping
outside as you drive down the road?
That
reminds me of the story of the Good Samaritan.
Several religious people saw the one who was hurting, but they did
nothing to help. It was the guy most
likely not to help that stopped to help.
We should do the same. You may
not have the money to help this person.
You may not understand fully what is going on. Yet you and I can do something.
It
stretches me to try to help hurting people, and often I’m not sure what to
do. But I can listen. I can pray.
Together we can seek help and make a difference in that person’s life. You most likely know that our church and
Dream Center help people every week who are hurting. At times I have found myself growing cold to
people, but God will once again warm my heart.
I wish
I could help everyone. We can’t. I wish we could house every homeless
person. We can’t. I wish we could help over and over and over,
but we can’t as the resources run low.
But I can do what God did and what God calls us to do.
Finally, all of you should be of one
mind. Sympathize with each
other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a
humble attitude.
God,
help me to be sensitive to the needs and hurts of the people around me. Use me to encourage and help others. I pray others will do the same. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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