All we have to do is to live long enough, and we will see sufferings. People suffers. How should Christians respond, when we see others around us in pain?

Deep humility before God!

 “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:4-5)

Don’t assume that they deserve it more than us! In fact, we all deserve to suffer, because we are all sinners. The fact that we are spared, it is not because we are better, but because of God’s mercy. Therefore, let the undeserved mercy of God humble us.

A brother once remarked to me how it amazes him that others more righteous and more fervent than he is have suffered more than he has. Indeed, if God measures to us what we deserve in strict justice, where would we be today! Hence, it is an occasion to examine ourselves, and confess our sins to God. “Do you not know that the goodness and mercy of God is meant to lead you to repentance?”

Have the sufferings around you led you to a deeper humbling of yourselves before God, dear brothers and sisters?

Real Help To Others!

“Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:3-5)

Seeing a man blind from birth, the disciples philosophized: Suffering is the direct result of sin. Whose sin? Is it his sin, and if so, did he sin in the womb since he was blind from birth? How great a sin can one commit in the womb, to reap such great punishment? Or could it be the sin of his parents? 

Jesus’ response? Not why, but how! We may want to know who is responsible or why it has happened. There could be a time and place for that. However, more critically, the question we must answer now is: How can I help him? Our 1^st response ought not be to philosophize, but to render practical help.

To unbelievers, actions are always louder than words. While they may have many difficult questions about suffering that we cannot always answer satisfactorily, yet they have no answer when they see Christian Love in action. 

Dear brothers and sisters, is there someone around you in pain? Let us response with real help to them.

WEI En Yi