OUTSIDE THE FAMILY CIRCLE

READ: John 19:25-30

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

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 20-22

When Jesus saw His mother from the cross, His heart went out to her. He knew that her hurt was deeper than that of anyone else there, and He gave her special attention.

The pain of parents when they see a son or daughter suffer and die is almost beyond description. I have seen this time and time again when ministering to grieving parents. I suffer with them, but all the while I know that my hurt doesn’t compare with what I would be feeling if the suffering and dying person were my son, daughter, or grandchild.

This sometimes troubles me. Although I want to be a genuinely caring person, and I want to “weep with those who weep,” I also realize that I can’t grieve as deeply as the family members do. But just because I’m outside the family doesn’t give me an excuse to be uncaring.

God wants us to share in the sorrows of others (Rom. 12:15). Instead of ignoring their pain, we should be sharing in it by earnest prayer, kind words, and loving deeds.

Thank God for family ties. It’s natural to have a deep sense of loss when someone close to us dies. But we should also look for ways to enter into the sorrows of others who are grieving. – Herb Vander Lugt

Lord, give me sensitivity

To people in their grief and pain,

To weep with them and show Your love

In ways mere words cannot attain. - Sper

Sympathy is two hearts tugging at one load.