When someone is struggling to cope with a tough situation in their lives, how can we be a friend and how can we help? We can start by being sensitive. God provides opportunities to comfort others going through some of the same things we go through. Listen to those who are struggling. A listening ear reflects a caring heart. Speak words that are encouraging and helpful. Listening is where love begins.
Proverbs 12:-25 (NIV)
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.Job 21:2 (NLT)
“Listen closely to what I am saying. That’s one consolation you can give me.
My momma always told me, “Jan D. when you feel depressed and down, just get yourself up and go out and help someone and it will help you to feel better”. She is certainly right. Along those same lines, comforting others in their times of need and you will often find yourself comforted in your time of need.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
There are some people who see God as this distant, angry deity that is bent on punishment and anger, yet this is not God revealed in Scripture. The Apostle Paul tells us that God is the God of compassion! In fact, He invented compassion. Compassion and love is the at the center of His character…….. and we are made in His image. God, indeed Jesus, listens to our prayers. He wants to be there to comfort us. And he wants us to be there to comfort others. Listening helps healing. We don’t always have to have an answer or give advice…..sometimes we just need to listen. Listening Is Where Love Begins……
