Your Friends Need You to Share Their Pain
By Rick Warren
“Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down” (Romans 12:15 MSG).
The interesting thing about pain and joy is that whenever you share a joy, it gets doubled. But it’s the opposite with pain. When you share a pain, it’s halved. When your friends are going through a crisis, they need you to help carry the load and lessen the pain.
When I’m talking about sharing the pain with your friends, I’m not talking about sympathy. Sympathy says, “I’m sorry you hurt.” People don’t need your sympathy. They need your empathy. Empathy says, “I hurt with you.” Sympathy stands at a distance. Empathy draws close.
The ultimate form of love is compassion. Compassion says, “I’ll do anything I can to stop your hurt.” When you read the Bible, you’ll find that Jesus was repeatedly moved with compassion. He was willing to do whatever he could to stop others’ hurt, including going to the cross. He was willing to die to stop your hurt. That’s compassion.
The Bible says in Romans 12:15, “Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down” (MSG). That means cry with them. Weep with those who weep.
What do friends do? They show up. They share the pain, and they shut up. They don’t give pious platitudes. They don’t give advice. They don’t try to talk a friend out of his pain. They don’t say, “It’s going to be OK.” They just say, “We’re going to sit here with you. We’re going to be here for you. We’re going to hurt with you.”
Playtoday’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
Talk It Over
- What are some ways you can show compassion to a friend who is hurting?
- Describe a situation where it’s best not to say anything but instead just be present.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit rickwarren.org
Discover God’s power to change your life!
God is all about changing lives. He can help you through any struggle you’re facing, and take you from where you are to where you want to be.
In God’s Power to Change Your Life, Rick Warren lays the groundwork for personal transformation, offering biblical insights on what it takes to...
• Become more loving
• Live more peacefully
• Develop patience
• Have self-control
So please request your copy of God’s Power to Change Your Life below. It’s our gift to thank you for your financial support to help more people discover the hope of Christ!
This devotional © 2016 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can also listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
