Introduction: Have you ever spent some time with someone who is grieving or hurting? It is a heart wrenching situation. Why? Because you want to help but feel so limited. It is not necessarily what you say, in fact you can say the wrong thing, but it is simply listening that really counts. Some who are going thru a difficult time do NOT want to talk, but some do. Please use Spirit-led caution when approaching this kind of situation. This brings to mind a teacher who once asked her 2nd grade class to spell COMPASSION. One little girl got out of her seat, walked up to the teacher’s desk, held her arms up, and wrapped them around the teacher’s neck and squeezed lightly. Needless to say, the girl got an A+!!!

Paul wrote to the Romans and believers today, these words:

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits” (Romans 12:15-16).

Keep in mind these believers were becoming stumbling blocks to the weaker CHRISTians. How we identify and edify believers, especially when they are going thru hard times, is important. The bottom line is… when we reach out and pray (only if wanted), we need to exercise sympathy, empathy, and great compassion as our Lord Jesus demonstrated through His earthly ministry.