BY AARON GRAVETT
“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Romans 12:15
You saw them—in church, at work, at the stores. Everything during the Christmas season was bright and cheery, but you saw them—the ones that seemed to not be able to smile, the ones that looked at the lights with no joy. Sometimes we’ve seen them and thought to ourselves, “They are just bah-humbugs” and waved them off like they don’t matter. Realize, it may not be a stony heart that caused this, but a broken heart.
There are many reasons that the Christmas season and New Year can leave someone broken. They may have seen family get togethers that they weren’t a part of and maybe someone was missing this year from death. Maybe broken relationships with parents or children have caused someone to be alone or in the least, wishing for mended relationships.
There are a myriad of reasons that someone can be broken. So, when you see someone struggling to smile, or turn away from festive times, it may be that they are on the verge of tears from hurting so much.
So how can we help? Pray for them, be there for them, and actually listen to them if they need to break down. It’s called the “ministry of presence.”
The Bible has much to say about true joy. It’s the joy that only Christ can give. Sometimes that joy comes from Christ through a believer that just lets another one know: I’m here. Sometimes the joy comes from mourning with them first.
May this new year be filled with people seeing the hurt of others—praying for them, encouraging them, crying with them. May they know Christ truly cares for them through us.
If you are one that is hurting, let Christ heal your heart. Let Him just hold you! Let Him be with you also through someone else. Someone who is “Jesus with skin on.”
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