Thursday, December 13, 2012

Carry the hurt

 
Illness. Death. Depression. Financial issues. Divorce. Disappointment. Loss.
We've all we've been burdened by one of those or maybe all of them.
I think it's safe to say we're hurting people.
 
Lately, I've read a lot about people suffering including Christians. I think some people think that Christians live an easy, happy life, but the truth is, everyone faces hard times. Christians just realize that they have a Savior they can lean on. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 says, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."
 
Not only have I read about suffering people, I know suffering people. Not only do I know suffering people, I see suffering people. People on the corners with signs crying out for help. People in hospitals wishing they were anywhere but there. People counting out pennies just to get food for their family. People in their homes yearning for a loved one to be with them.
 
For all these people, my heart hurts for them especially for my friends, Alisa and Jaime. It seems like holidays only make this hurt intensified and I just wish I could take it away. Although I can't take it away, God tells me that I can do something..."Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ," Galations 6:2.
 
Angie Smith talks about this verse in her book, Mended. The Greek word for burdens is "baros" which is translated into "heaviness, weight, burden, trouble". She says, "Baros is the type of weight that is only of this world - the difficulties that come from living in a fallen world as a fallen person and with fallen people. It includes a sense of weight that is burdensome." It's crazy how Christmastime brings joy, but a lot of times we experience a heaviness. Is your heart heavy for someone right now?
 
Christmas is often labeled as the "season for giving". I think we should be giving throughout the whole year, but anyway, if you know someone who is suffering right now, share their burden with them. I know that may not sound like a fun time, but it's what we are called to do. You may not have money to give or a spectacular gift, but you can give them your time, a listening ear, and a prayer. It's okay to feel heavy for someone. God gave us emotions for a reason. He has given us experiences for a reason too. Maybe you can relate to someone who is suffering right now.
 
2 Corinthians 1:3-8 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of your comfort."
 
With that being said, reach out to those who are hurting right now.
Share your experiences. Give your love. Offer up prayer.
They will be comforted and you will too.
 
Today's scripture for the year long reading plan was 2 Corinthians 1-4. Yesterday's was 1 Corinthians 15-16. If you would like the full plan check it out here or shoot me an email and I'll send it to you!
 
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9 comments:

  1. This has to be my favorite post for the day!! I could not of said it better myself!!!! Thank you for always having amazing post! You are such an inspiration!!!!!!

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    1. Cat - you are so stinkin sweet! It's all God-His words not mine :)

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  2. My favorite verse...2 Corinthians 4:8-10. Awesome post!

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  3. So very true Chelsea. I also believe the entire year should be the "season" for giving but at least some people recognize this time of year as a time for peace, love and giving. Then again, I've noticed a lot more mean and hateful people all over the place. It seems like in this world the spirit of Christmas has gotten lost amongst the spirit of greed and in the secular world, Christmas has lost its meaning. Just signs of the time I suppose but it saddens me to see so many people falling away from God. This is a great post. We should be helping those we know who are facing hardship to bear their burdens and share the Lord with them if they don't know Him already. Jesus saved us on the cross of Calvary with his sacrifice and by his stripes we are saved. I am so thankful for that and it's so important not to let our pain and hardships overshadow the huge sacrifice Jesus made for all of us. Wonderful post!

    I hope you are having a lovely week my dear and thank you so much for linking up to last week's Aloha Friday Blog Hop.

    If you have time, we'd love to have you come back and link up to the Aloha Friday Blog Hop if you haven't already!

    Aloha,

    Jean {What Jean Likes}

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    1. What a beautiful comment, Jean!!

      Thank you so much for stopping by & for hosting such a great blog hop!

      Be blessed :)

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  5. Hey Hanna!! I'm so glad you found my blog!!! I'm so happy you're following! I'm on my way to your blog right now :)Be blessed & merry Christmas!!

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I'm so glad you stopped by! I can't wait to hear your thoughts. Be blessed :)