Meeting People in their Pain

Let’s talk about meeting people in their pain. Meeting people in their sorrow. Meeting people in their grief.

It is not helpful to dismiss the pain of others. It is far more wounding than the already deep valley they sit in.

If we’re not careful we will cause an incredible deepening of sadness.

There is a lifetime of trials and pains that rise in any given season of suffering. While there might be an acute situation, trust me, the heart begins to remember many others as well.

My words have the power of life and death. They can bring harm or comfort.

When we do not know the whole story of a pained soul, we tend to quote scripture that may not be so helpful. Makes them think they are weak. Calls them to a place they are unable to go to just yet.

Jesus was a Master at meeting people in their pain. He did not avoid it. He did not dismiss it. He never brought shame to it. He brought hope and comfort.

He mourned with those who mourned. He directed us to do the same.

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

We often oppose what Christ is doing in a life when we are unable to meet them in their pain. Why? Because in that place is a soil being tilled and planted with seeds. A garden being formed by Christ, Himself.

It takes a gentle hand to sow into a hurting heart. If you do not have one yet, it would be best if you refrain from any attempts to help and find someone who is gifted in this area. It may not actually be your assignment.

Suffering comes to us all but let me be clear: If you’ve not suffered in similar ways of others, you may not can understand or be helpful in their pained moments.

Personal suffering seasons us to help others also suffering.

We see different. We talk different. We act different. We are better able to understand.

I look for creative ways to help that broken heart so that there is a healing balm rather than a hard hammer.

It is the way of Jesus.

Honestly, the times in scripture where we see Him lower a loud boom was against the Pharisees. The religious. The pious. Those with no compassion for the suffering of mankind.

We have several examples of the kindness of God while people were in despair.

The Samaritan woman who was husbandless in a society where that would cause her to become an outcast. While humanity still likes to preach on her “sin” Jesus went the long way around to get to her pain. We keep missing that point entirely.

We see Elijah, a mighty prophet of God, exhausted from the war. Although He has just handled victoriously 400 prophets of Baal, when Jezebel threatened to kill him, he sat under a broom tree in despair. Tired and done.

The angel of the Lord drew near to him and baked him a cake strengthening him for the long journey ahead.

We didn’t see the Lord rebuke or shame either scenario. We see Him love them to wholeness and comfort them in their acute pain. He revealed Himself to them in unique ways they each needed.

It ought to be the way we are working too if Christ is living in us.

Long-suffering is a fruit of the Spirit. When people are struggling we ought to have that in mind. Ask Christ to stir that gift up in us. Stop demanding people to exist their pain too soon when it is not yet time according to the Lord.

Isaiah 40:4-5

Every valley shall be raised up,

every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level,

the rugged places a plain.

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,

and all people will see it together.

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

You see, the glory of the Lord is going to be found somewhere in people’s pain.

That valley is producing something that will be seen at some point or another. You cannot rush the process without stunting the growth of the pained soul. We must let patience do its perfect work.

Love people through it. Hold their hand in the valley. Keep them closer than normal. Be careful with your words. Bring hope and comfort.

Jesus is there and He is near to that broken heart. It is best to handle them with care because He sure does.

Some of us might consider baking a few cakes for those in pained seasons and letting our words be few.

Meet them in their pain and watch what Jesus will do right there.