What Is Worse?

Good Tuesday morning! What is worse: going through one of those death valley shadows yourself, or watching another person endure the difficulty of it? Our first answer probably volunteers the self. That answer that comes out before we can stop it tends toward the selfish most every time. However, that answer may not be correct. We suffer along with each other, and watching the other person go through a deep tribulation may cause us more emotional pain than the trials we endure with Jesus in life. As we grow in the faith, we may be much more willing to endure a trial than to have someone we love endure the thing.

What advice do I give him in his time of trial? How do I approach her without hurting her feelings even worse than they are now? Part of the problem with another person's trial is the very powerlessness we feel. Though it shouldn't, sometimes praying for the other person seems a thin and weak answer. We know better! Prayer is the best answer because we are bringing that request to the almighty God. Prayer is the first and best doing for the other person, but does not rule out the physical actions we like when God sends us to the rescue. Yes, in prayer we may find God showing us the way to help out without trampling on feelings or shoving an unwelcome nose into the business.

It hurts to just watch a person endure suffering. So don't, jump right into your prayer room and learn the right actions from God. Yup, that too - we may find that the test also involves our waiting and watching in emotional pain while God takes care of it in His own way. We still get to pray though!

In Christ,
Bucky