Pain hurts, so ease up a bit.

“Suck it up, brother! Jesus is your Savior, Healer, and soon coming King.”

So says the well meaning Christian to the dear one who’s going through a painful and emotional hurricane.

Does it help?

No!

Why?

Because pain is still pain, and words designed to demean others while showcasing one’s own “spiritual superiority” never ease anyone’s pain.

Scripture alone will not heal or ease the pain. There’s more to it than blasting people with the Word.

“But…”

Yeah?

“But the word says, ‘he sent His Word and healed them’” (Psalm 107:20).

Yes, it does. And, there are a lot of other scriptures that support the psalmist’s testimony.

Yet here’s a point we can’t forget. GOD sent His Word. JESUS told the soldier, “Go your way, your servant is healed”.

Aren’t we supposed to do the works Jesus did (John 14)? Yes, and even greater ones!

But that doesn’t mean we act as though we’re high and mighty and others should feel grateful just having us speak with them.

We are to do things like the Word says, but only do them in the way Jesus would.

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17 NLT)

Do them as He would do them, IF He would do them.

Speak the truth in love, with faith AND compassion, tenderly using the opportunity to minister grace to the hearer (Ephesians 4:29).

Pain, regardless of the reason, speaks loud enough for the sufferer to hear. If there’s a lesson to be learned  it won’t come from some egotistical maniac using scripture on the sufferer as though they’re an idiot.

Jesus always spoke truth. He always shared the Word. And He always did it in love, not for His sake but for the good of others AND the glory of God.

Those going through pain, sorrow, or grief don’t need cute quips, quotes, or cutting remarks. Even if someone is hurting as a result of sin, they can still receive compassion from God.

“And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:15 ESV)

If God will minister real grace and compassion to the hurting, don’t you think He’d have us do the same?

Pain is painful. Let’s not add insult to injury.

Instead of blasting the hurting with our scripture “stones”, how about if we just simply DO His Word.

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1 ESV)

So, what would you do to comfort the afflicted, help ease someone’s pain, while staying true to the scriptures?