Perhaps one of the most difficult things to do is learn to weep with those who weep. When we see someone hurting what do we do? The Skit Guys who brought us “God’s Chisel” tell us about mourning and what we need to do when we know someone is sitting in their mourning booth.
mourning
Weep with the weeping
Last night was tough for Marita and me. The Camp Kennessee nurse called saying Tessa had a fever all day and would have to go home. Marita and I repeatedly commented on the hour and a half trip to pick her up about how much we hurt for her. I wanted to cry for her.
It makes me think of the second half of Romans 12:15.
“Weep with those who weep.”
This verse doesn’t say:
- Cheer up those who weep.
- Say something profound to those who weep.
- Rebuke those who weep.
- Ignore those who weep.
- Be uncomfortable around those who weep.
- Avoid those who weep.
- Shame those who weep.
- Make fun of those who weep.
- Get angry at the inconvenience of those who weep.
Actually, it tells us to weep with those who weep.
The next time someone you know is sad and weeping, don’t try to stop them. Don’t get mad at them. Don’t avoid them. Don’t try to be the hero who says the really profound thing to lift them up. Just weep with them.
Laughter may well be the best medicine, but a good cry can cleanse the soul.
ELC