Sensitive to the Suffering

For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45 RSV

Years ago our son Franklin spent some days on a boat in the South China Sea searching for boats of people fleeing the oppressive regime on Vietnam. On board, Ha Jimmy, the first mate, told him that only a week before they had rescued such a boat. It had been boarded by pirates, the passengers robbed, women raped, others wounded. The pirate ship was ramming the smaller boat to destroy all evidence when the rescue ship appeared and they fled.

First the wounded had to be tended to. Then the rescued needed to be fed, bathed, and allowed to rest. Later they were told of Jesus and His love.

One mother on board with several small children saw her baby die. There was nothing to do but put the tiny body overboard and watch it float away. A few days later the next child died. Once more the mother had to watch the little body floating away into the sea.

Ha Jimmy looked at Franklin, his eyes dark with fatigue, and asked, “Franklin, after all she had been through, if I hadn’t given her Jesus, what had I really done for her?”

God can use a sensitive Christian to be a rich blessing in the life of one who knows pain and sorrow. Scripture provides guidelines for those who are in a position to help someone suffering.

Someone has said, “To have suffered much is like knowing many languages: It gives the sufferer access to many more people.” Lord, help me to use any suffering I might be called upon to endure in that positive fashion.

Our Father and our God, when I think of Your Son’s horrible suffering on the cross, I know my own pain is so small. Help me to endure my trials with faith and hope because of the suffering He endured for me. And help me to give the comfort I have received from You to others in pain. In Christ. Amen.

Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).