Pain serms inevitable in life.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a scratch or a bruise on a child when they fall over, or thd hurt of loss of a loved one. It is prevalent.
This week two people I care about considerably both shared something of the pain they were enduring. One spoke of the passing of a cherished sibling. The other intimated going through a very troubled and stormy time on every front.
I heard both these loved friends of mine and my heart ached. Knowing they were going through such agony and grief really tore me up. In as much as I can be there for them or help in any way, they will still hurt. As they hurt they may question, they may waver, they may doubt. They may be baffled by the severity and unrelenting nature of it.
Sometimes words don’t cut it. Sometimes it’s a violent kick or punch at the wall. Sometimes it’s gutteral ranting at the darkness. Sometimes it’s wailing and moaning, sobbing and heaving helpless in the middle of it all.
There are no easy solutions to offer. There are no quick fixes to resolve the matternl. No glib clichès to utter. Just being there. Just walking through the process with them. Just patiently allowing their blunt and raw feelings to be expressed. Just to believe God will console – He will comfort. Just to listen. Just to touch. Just to hold and embrace. Just to cry with them. Just to give them their space with no demands or pressure.
In all of that – the belief that God cares does wonders. To know He is sensitive and aware of our situation. Though He may not come with answers – still He comes. Though His presence is not as obviously felt in the tears and frustration, He is still there.
To believe on behalf of my dear loved friends is such a precious responsibility. Just to hold them up in prayers and practical support when they get weak, tired and vulnerable. When they get disillusioned and drift, just to lovingly stay and not condemn.
Doing all this because we hurt when loved ones hurt. We feel pain and sorrow. We want the joy to return, we want the life to return. In the meantime we believe. We hope. We trust God.
Even should their suffering not cease in this life, we still rejoice because there’s more to life than this flesh existence and its futile, fading trends. We rejoice in the knowledge that one day He will wipe every tear from our eyes. Pain, grief, loss, hurt – death itself will cease to be.
My prayer is that this hope of what will be will motivate us now to share His peace and extend that love for those who are hurting.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 