As a young man, I recall going with my pastor to make calls on the sick. One such call will always remain in my memory. The lady we were visiting was about 40 and had a very aggressive and painful cancer.
As we entered her house, it was all I could do to not stare. She had been so full of life and active within the church yet now her body was now failing her. As the lady explained how she was handling the treatment for her cancer, the pastor sat down and within a very short time I heard him say, "I know just how you feel." When we left, I asked him if he had experienced that type of cancer. He said that he had not experienced any cancer. So I asked, "Then what gives you the right to tell her that you knew how she felt?"
He tried to explain that it was just a "saying" and a way to show compassion to the sick. It was then that I became determined to develop true compassion for the sick without saying things I didn't mean or couldn't know.
Several years ago, I faced the experience of a total thryoidectomy. The surgeons are required by law to tell you everything that could happen during and after surgery including the "C" word. Their frank discussion resulted in one good thing to ten bad things that could happen.
Several years ago, I faced the experience of a total thryoidectomy. The surgeons are required by law to tell you everything that could happen during and after surgery including the "C" word. Their frank discussion resulted in one good thing to ten bad things that could happen.
Shortly after that meeting in the surgeon's office, a lady in our small group told me she knew what to expect. Jane had experienced the same surgery just months before, and as I witnessed her frustrations and progress, it gave me encouragement because I was now comfortable and now knew what to expect. Her e-mail notes, cards, and hugs at church meant so much because, based on her own experience, I trusted what she had to say.
Jesus came to the earth for the purpose of building a relationship with each of us. His earthly struggles, from Bethlehem to Golgotha, gave him first hand experience that is of benefit to us. As a result, we can all trust that the Lord knows how we feel. No matter what is taking place in our lives, he can relate. And help.
Sometimes his help comes in a supernatural way. Sometimes he uses a friend who has already walked the journey we are about to embark. Either way, His help reflects the love God has for each of us.
Know that the Lord uses our trials, happiness and experiences so that we may lift someone we pass by to build on their relationship with the Lord. The Lord WILL bring you along side of someone needing your experience just like Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. (Acts 8:26-40). The question is, “will you walk by or stop and be that friend who can lead someone to a relationship with the Savior of the Universe”?
You have been given a unique opportunity to help someone. Are you looking down at your feet or looking around to be that friend to someone in real need?