Happy 4th of July, Independence Day, to our US readers.
“Just don’t leave me,” I pleaded in my mind, “to fight these lies alone. Don’t leave as I lay in pain. I know I told you to go — but I didn’t mean it.” My telepathic communications failed to relay my true thoughts.
Have you been there? Just wanting company? Someone you love passed away. You lost your job. Your husband had another heart attack. You urge people not to worry but what you really want is for someone to say, “Where you go, I will go.”
Maybe you’re on the other side of it. You see someone hurting and you don’t know how to help. You wish there was something you could do or say. I’ve got good news for you. The best way to comfort the hurting is to come alongside them. To simply be there, fully and completely. Even when they say they’re “fine.”
Don’t feel like you need to make everything better or preach the perfect sermon. There’s a time for words and space, but so often hurting people just need your presence. Don’t shrink away because you feel awkwardly unsure. Simply be there and trust God with the rest.
Ruth didn’t try to fix Naomi’s grief. She simply stayed with her. Verse 18 says, “When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.” Keep being loyal and eventually, the hurting person will learn to accept it. They will see you’re in it for the long haul. And you’ll both be blessed.
God, thank you for always being with me in trials. Please give me the wisdom to serve the hurting hearts around me, and the patience to sit with them through their trials. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Go Deeper — Is there someone you can “just be with” today? Will you call them, pray with them, or just sit beside them?
Photo Credit: Jorge Lopez