People Who Suffer

Some who read the title of this post will immediately think of themselves -and many if not most with good reason.

Some will think "I've enough problems and concerns in my life, why would I want to read about this topic?!"

Others will be drawn to consider it and there are several reasons for it, perhaps family, friends or other loved ones and so they are curious to see what's written here.

Some will be thinking they know WHY people suffer or even the motives, reasons and very thoughts of those who don't seem to lift a finger to help them. Lastly, there will be those who immediately think in quite negative terms about a person or persons who cause or caused suffering.

I have often been drawn to Paul's letter to the Corinthian church about this issue and the striking grace he spoke of about both God's being WITH him and his co-missionaries -in- their suffering and being delivered from it by the Lord.

As has been said by quite a few others- none of us fully knows the things other people are carrying, the troubles, the hurts, the issues inside of them which is why our kindness and grace is sooooo needed. Sometimes silence, a listening ear, prayer (even if they don't ask or wish for it, simply between ourselves and the Lord for them!) is a quiet but needed gift via us!

Paul's big takeaway is clear (in bold to accent it):

2 Corinthians 1 (3) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (4) who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Suffering has been in the world since Adam and Eve's fall. The issue is twofold-

What did/does Jesus do about it -and- what are we doing, adding to it or serving God and others to help alleviate and bring healing change?

As always, thanks for stopping by! -Glenn