EBENEZER

Scripture of Inspiration

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jew who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled. And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. John 11:33-35

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My friend called me with terrible news. Her husband's test results were back, and he had cancer. After I found my voice, I told her how sorry I was. I struggled to find words of encouragement and comfort, feeling useless in the face of the frightening issue she was facing. I could reaffirm what she already knew - that Jesus loved her and would walk this hard road with her. But I longed to offer more. I wanted to be the “hero friend” who had the perfect thing to say to make things better.

 

When we aren't sure how to support our friends

who are hurting, we can follow Jesus' is lead.

He always responded to pain with profound love and

compassion. As he arrived at Lazarus’s funeral, He

manifested that compassion in several ways. He gave

the gift of His presence, He showed interest and

involvement, and He joined in the pain, weeping

with those who also wept. Jesus, the all-knowing God of the universe, knew that He was about to call Lazarus from the grave. Yet first He cried with the mourners, sharing their sorrow.

 

A sense of helplessness can tempt us to avoid reaching out and engaging with those who need support. But if we follow Jesus' lead, we're emboldened, tenderhearted, and feel the pain of our friends (empathy). We listen and let our friends know we care. We stand alongside them so they aren't alone. And the best support we have to offer is approaching our Savior, asking Him to see the need and trusting Him to respond.

 

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Yours Truly,

Lady Mary A. Parker

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