Whenever we see a friend or relative hurting the first thing we want is to "do" something. There is something in us that wants to fix things and make it all better. However, there are times when no amount of fixing will do and it seems like it will never get better. The best way to encourage those who are hurting is just to be be there and weep with them. Our mere presence can mean so much. We don't need fancy words or an eloquent speech. We just need to wrap our arms around them and love them.
Jars of Clay has a song titled Shelter that talks about how we can be a place of shelter and safety to those in need. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should be a place of rest for each other.
If there is any peace, if there is any hope
We must all believe, our lives are not our own
We all belong
God has given us each other
And we will never walk alone
In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live
In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live
Your arms are all around us
We must all believe, our lives are not our own
We all belong
God has given us each other
And we will never walk alone
In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live
In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live
Your arms are all around us
When we comfort and encourage each other, we are being the church as it is intended to be. The Lord is with us, using us to heal each other. So, no matter how uneasy you feel or intimidated by not having the right words, just remember that we only need to be the literal arms of Christ and hold people in the shelter of God's love.
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