Comfort Others In Troubled Times With The Gift Of Just Being There

2 Corinthians 1:4

God comforts us in all of our afflictions so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Ephesians 4:7,12

But to each of us, grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift…for the equipping of the saints for the work of service to the building up of the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:29

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.

     There will be times in your life when you feel totally inadequate to comfort the people you love.  An unexpected death may have occurred.  A divorce might be on the horizon.  Or perhaps your friend is facing the “garden variety” of life’s disappointments, such as job frustrations, money worries, or health issues.  As a concerned and loving friend, you want to help but you might not always know what to say to bring them comfort.  But God always has advice and a word for you as you struggle to encourage others.  First, you must know that God has already equipped you for the task.  He has given you the gift of comfort, specifically so that you can comfort others in their time of need. When you ask God to give you the words to say, He will happily give them to you.  He wants you to be able to comfort your friend.  God says to just open your mouth and say something “edifying,” which is another word for helpful.  In any situation, you may not have the profound word of advice.  You might not know the exact solution or action your friend should take to remedy his or her situation.  However, what you can tell your friend is that you love and value them.  You can say that you think they are wonderful and appreciate that they are doing the best they can to handle their particular situation.  Most importantly, you can let them know that you will be with them in their time of sorrow.  The gift of your presence, whether physical or emotional is the best gift that you can give to a person who is hurting.  Kind words, gentle words, words of love, are the best, most appropriate, and ultimately the most healing gift that you can give to anyone.  They are a reflection of the love that God has given to you precisely so that you can share it with your friend.  When you speak words of caring, concern and love, you will always know, “What to say when you don’t know what to say.”

Click the link below to see my books,
"Keeping Your Lamp Lit"
http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Your-Lamp-Lit-Schuler/dp/1451559321/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277386999&sr=1-1#noop
"Good Strategies for Bad Times"
http://www.amazon.com/Good-Strategies-Bad-Times-Schuler/dp/1438257775/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265471485&sr=8-1