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In Good Times and In Bad

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15

Who would stand with you no matter what?

Most of us like being around happy people. It can be uncomfortable, however, being around people who are sad, especially people who are mourning. You may not know what to say or do.

The Christian life, like all people’s lives, is filled with ups and downs. There are times when we feel overjoyed and there are times when we feel overwhelmed with sorrow. Yes, we have the joy of our salvation, but that doesn’t remove the sadness of hurt and loss. Rather, it carries us through the hurt and loss.

Together Through It All
Husbands and Wives make a promise to each other to stay with each other in good times and in bad, sickness and health, wealth and poverty. The Christian bond is similar. We, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we also stand together in both good times and bad, joy and mourning.

Sometimes Christians can feel like we are always supposed to be happy. After all, the Bible says to rejoice always. However, it’s alright to feel sad. It’s alright to feel loss. Even Jesus wept. We shouldn’t feel the need to hide that hurt, rather we should feel safe to share it knowing that our church family will share in that sorrow with us and help carry that burden.

What Do I Do?
On the other side, there’s the question of how, as a Christian brother or sister, to share those burdens. We may feel inadequate to help and unsure of what to say or do. That’s Okay, too.

You don’t have to have the perfect response. Honestly, there are times when there is no perfect response. There are some things you can do which can mean the world to someone hurting or mourning.

  1. Be There – Whatever else you do (or don’t do), simply being present may be the most meaningful thing you can do. I remember reading an article by a seminary professor who got cancer and needed emergency surgery. One of his students came to the hospital to visit. The student was so nervous he stayed less than a minute and didn’t say anything while he was there. He even threw up after he left the hospital room. The professor wasn’t upset at the shortness or awkwardness of the visit. On the contrary, he was immensely grateful that he came.
  2. Pray – Prayer is a powerful thing. If you can, pray with the person. If you can’t find the words, pray for them in your mind.
  3. Cry With Them – It’s Okay to cry and you can let them know it’s Okay for them to cry as well. Mourn with them.
  4. Share Jesus – Jesus is our hope and our life. You aren’t talking about Jesus and God’s love to remove the pain, but rather to give hope that there is something…someone greater than the pain. We mourn, but we mourn not as those without hope.

Life isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s very hard, but we don’t live it alone. Jesus is with us and so are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us walk together. Let us carry each other’s burdens.

Dear Jesus,

You wept at the hurt Mary, Martha, and their friends felt as they mourned Lazerus. Help us to care for one another and be cared for by each other. Help us to rejoice with each other as well as mourn with each other.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt