"Weep With Those Who Weep?

"Keep encouraging one another and building one another up." - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11.

FOR almost a year after the death of our son, we felt deep and excruciating pain," said Susi.  After his wife died suddenly, one brother said that he experience "indescribable physical  pain."'  Sadly, many people experience this kind of pain.  In the Christian congregation today, many of our brothers and sisters did not expect their loved ones to die before Armageddon.  Perhaps someone you love has died, or maybe you know someone who is grieving. If so, you may wonder, 'How can a grieving person find comfort?' 

Some people say that time can heal all wounds. But is this always so?  One widow said,  "I have found it more accurate to say that it is what one does with one's time that helps one to heal."  A physical wound needs time and care in order to heal.  In a similar way, it takes time and tender care to heal emotional pain. What, specifically,  can help those who are grieving to lessen their emotional pain? 

JEHOVAH IS "THE GOD OF ALL  COMFORT"

Our compassionate Father, Jehovah, is the main one who gives us the comfort that we need.  (Read 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4) He is the greatest example of empathy, and he promises his people:  "I am the one comforting you." -Isaiah 51:12; Psalm 119:50, 52, 76. 

Our loving Father has also experienced the loss of loved ones, such as his servants Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and King David.  (Numbers 12:6-8; Matthew 22:31, 32; Acts 13:22)  The Bible shows us that Jehovah really looks forward to the day when he will resurrect those faithful men.  (Job 14:14, 15)  At that time, they will be happy and enjoy perfect health. Jehovah also experienced the death of his firstborn Son.  The Bible says that Jesus was the one God was"especially fond of ."  (Proverbs 8:22, 30)  We cannot even imagine how distressing it must have been for Jehovah to watch his Son Die a painful death. -John 5:20; 10:17.  

We can be absolutely sure that Jehovah will help us. So we should always feel free to pray to him and express our feelings and that he gives us the comfort we need!  But how does he do that? 

One of the many ways Jehovah comforts us is by means of his holy spirit.  (Acts 9:31) Jesus promised that our Father would give his powerful holy spirit to those who ask him for it.  (Luke 11:13)  Susi, mentioned earlier, says:  "There were so many times when we just dropped to our knees and implored Jehovah to comfort us. Every single time, the peace of God truly guarded our hearts and minds." -Read Philippians 4:6, 7. 

Next time: "Weep With Those Who Weep" - JESUS ALSO UNDERSTANDS OUR FEELINGS

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