Read: John 11:35, Psalm 34:18
I’m a fixer. When someone I care about is hurting, my instinct is to jump in, find a solution, and make things better. But over time, I’ve realized that sometimes, people don’t need solutions—they just need someone to sit with them in their pain. They need to know that they’re not alone and that their hurt matters to someone else. It’s hard for me, but I’ve learned that one of the most powerful things I can offer is simply being present. That’s what we see in one of the shortest, yet most profound verses in the Bible: “Jesus wept.”
It’s a powerful moment in Scripture. Jesus wept over the death of His friend Lazarus. Even though He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead, Jesus still entered into the pain of that moment with His friends. He didn’t just fix the situation—He felt their sorrow and wept with them.
This shows us something incredibly important about God: He isn’t distant from our pain. He is with us in it, grieving alongside us, and offering us comfort. When we suffer, we can trust that God sees us, loves us, and is deeply moved by our struggles. We may not have all the answers, but we have a God who weeps with us and offers us His presence.
Questions for Reflection:
- How does knowing that God weeps with you change the way you view your suffering?
- In what ways can you invite God into your pain and grief?
- How can you reflect God’s compassionate heart to others who are suffering?