Sometimes bad things happen to good people.
Our daughter’s job was eliminated last week—a career change she just started six months ago.
A young friend of mine has been dealing with unexplained and
uncontrolled seizures for months.
Our neighbor lost her husband six months ago and is
overwhelmed by the loneliness and fear of living alone.
My aunt, who could recite a recipe off the top of her head
and often advised others on health problems, is now in a nursing home due to
dementia. She can’t remember to take her meds or if she has eaten a meal
recently.
While there are times when we create our own hardships by the careless or willful choices we make, we live in a fallen world and bad things happen to Christians as well as non-believers. Since the time of Adam and Eve, greedy, self-serving people have reeked all sorts of havoc on the physical earth and on society. And now we pay for their actions with disease, crime, and economic disasters. What do we say to someone going through such times?
Romans 12:15 tells us to, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." Recognize that they are going through a difficult time. Express empathy without minimizing their experience.
Ephesians 5:19 says, "Encourage each other with psalms,
hymns, and spiritual songs.” Share relevant verses from the Bible that offer
hope, strength, and God's faithfulness in times of trouble.
Ephesians 6:18 reminds us to “Always keep on praying for the
Lord’s people.” Ask if they would like you to pray with them and offer
to continue praying for them.
James 2:14-17 admonishes us to offer practical help where possible.
“God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense!”
Isaiah 41 is full of assurances of God’s presence and
help—no matter what we face. Remind those who are hurting of God's constant love.
And sometimes all we need to do is be there. Remember Job’s friends? They sat with Job on the ground for seven days and didn't speak a word because they recognized that his pain was too great for words.
Be encouraged!
