“It was kind of you to share my distress.” Philippians 4:14
Distress is part of the human journey. No one in this world escapes the reality of our frail flesh and feeble minds. Distress accompanies us daily and visits us in a variety of forms. We carry a lot of anxiety regarding our finances, our health, our relationships, our children, and our grandchildren. We are stressed and distressed by troubling world events. We are afraid of dying and afraid of living.
It is no coincidence that in the Bible God most often greets people with the line, “be not afraid.” God knows us. “There is not a word on my lips but you, O Lord, know it altogether.” God knows that we are afraid, distressed, and anxious. Restless spirits make restful sleep hard to come by.
It was kind of you to share in my distress.
Perhaps our highest calling as Christians—as human beings—is to share in the distress of others. So what does that calling look like?
What do we say to a friend who is dying? What words will offer comfort to someone who has lost a child or a husband? How do we explain the suffering experienced by those around us?
I would counsel you to remember this simply truth: less is more. Words have a greater potential to hurt than to help. People who mean well but think that they must speak are dangerous indeed. Less is more. Do not try to explain. Do not claim to understand their pain or loss. Do not share tired platitudes or conventional wisdom.
It was kind of you to share in my distress.
What would a loving response look like? Sit quietly with them. Send food, flowers, or a simple card expressing love. Sit with them in the rubble, hold them tight, take their hand, offer to clean the house, or run errands. Remember, silence is not the enemy; your presence is your gift. Share in their distress not by sharing your own, but by being present to dry their tears. Your presence speaks beyond words.
It was kind of you to share in my distress.
There is no higher calling!
My love to you,
Pastor Jim
