In his introduction to The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis writes this on what he had learned about responding to pain:
” . . . when pain is to be borne, a little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture of the love of God more than all.”
John reminds us in 1 John 4:19 that we love as a result of God loving us. In other words, we can be used as conduits to allow others to experience God’s love. We can offer something better than sympathy to someone who is hurting.
Perhaps this will provide motivation to listen a little more and care a little more than we otherwise might.
Rosalind says
April 19, 2015 at 3:08 AMMichael W. Smith’s song…”You are Sovereign Over Us”
Planting Potatoes says
June 24, 2013 at 9:33 AMamen to that Mark!
Michelle Secord says
January 4, 2013 at 1:55 PMGreat post again Mark. I’ve lived with Chronic illness; Fibromyalgia for 12 years, plus had a stroke in 2007, and weary though am, and yes I would be done with it; but yet I NEVER would have known my dearest Savior the way I know Him now if it were not for this valley of the shadow. For it’s the shadow of death, but not death itself. And it’s in the dying to self that we truly learn to live; and to yearn, like a keening deep within for less of me and more of Him that daily grows; a longing to see His beautiful face; to touch, to speak, to hold Him next to me, to lose myself inside of Him completely until we are but one. That is what my heart daily seeks…a release…to leave this place and be with Him, but struggle with the reality that His will is also what I seek within, and so I must stay, until HE says, because it’s NOT about me, it’s ALL about HIM
Mark McIntyre says
January 4, 2013 at 2:11 PMThanks for sharing. You are an inspiration to those of us who whine at the slightest inconvenience.
PT Voice says
January 3, 2013 at 1:25 AMI walked a mile with pleasure and she chattered all the way.
And i walked a mile with sorrow and never a word said she,
but oh the things I learned from her when sorrow walked with me.
Barry McGuire (I think)
PTVoice at http://jamwithjesus.blogspot.com/