God Has Not Forgotten You: When Life Is Turned Upside DownSample

Comforting Others Who Grieve

One of the ways to ease the pain of tragedy and loss is to reach out and comfort someone else who is hurting. Comforting others is one way to look tragedy directly in the eye and profess that we are not helpless victims. It’s a way of reaffirming God’s power in our lives. Great things happen when we talk to others about God’s love, His compassion, and His faithfulness. When we speak His promises to others, it not only ministers to the hearers, it ministers to us, causing our own faith in God to come alive. Additionally, it moves our focus from our problems to the needs of someone else.

Reaching out to others is also a great way to build strong friendships and a support system. You can comfort, encourage, and pray for one another. For instance, do you know a single adult or parent who might feel alone and overwhelmed? What about an elderly person or couple isolating alone? Sometimes God allows us to go through trials so we can better understand the pain of others and comfort them with the same comfort we have received from Him.

But be careful not to overload yourself or short-circuit your grief by concentrating on others’ needs prematurely. Pray about it first, and ask God whether it’s time. Then ask Him to direct your energies and desires to reach out to others as you journey toward healing. The rewards will be immeasurable (see Matthew 5:7)!

Taking back your life

1. Do you know someone who is also hurting as a result of a life storm? What can you do to help heal that person’s hurt? Here are a few ideas: You can talk with that person. Pray for him or her. Share something from God’s Word, such as a promise or a Bible verse, that would provide comfort and encouragement. Or, just listen and understand what they’re going through.
2. In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Why is it important to have a support system—people you can talk to, pray with, and even cry with—during difficult times?
3. Remember to lift up the needs of someone else whenever you bring your needs before the Lord in prayer.