Seeing someone suffer.

[lovex]

Right now, I feel broken. My heart feels like it never has before. Maybe because I've never been exposed to such heart break, but... I feel it. I want to reach out, and comfort. And love. Not with a sappy love, but with unconditional love. That goes beyond measure. I want to hold all the suffering people, and let them know that God is going to handle everything.

The news that I received today, broke me into a million pieces. Maybe, just maybe, I am too weak. Who knows, I may be too sensitive. I work with children who have disabilities. There is this one little boy who is seven years old. He has epilepsy. The doctors have put him on almost every medication to calm down his seizures, nothing has seemed to work. They have even removed half of his brain. Nothing stops these terrible seizures that are taking over him. Today his parents came into school and told us that the doctors said that they no longer can do anything for him. and that everyday he is deteriorating. He is dieing.

How do you accept a statement like that? How can you look at this precious little boy, who is undergoing so much suffering, and not just break. No, I am not loosing my faith. I am simply wanting to know why. Which is really a silly question because I will not know why because God is God and He doesn't have to explain himself. And, I was thinking.. if I am this broken over this, how much more broken and distraught the Lord must be. His love for me is a million times more, and His hurt has got to be a million times more than mine too.

I know I can pray. And that is what I will do... but so much sadness rests on my heart. Wanting to know in which way can I help. How can I comfort. How can I ease the pain... but really... it is in His hands. Before it was in His hands, and from here on out... it is in His hands.

I ask you for your prayers. A deep humble and intense prayer for this little boy. And all the children who suffer. all the families.

[The Mighty Sword]

I'm sorry for you pain, When I came to the realization my son had 7 days to live, I literally stepped out of my body, it may be hard to imagine but it happens. My brain kicked into survival mode and all I could think about was him and not myself.

Pray for this boy and his family, if you can or know someone who can, lay hands on him as we serve a Mighty GOD

[Hunter121]

I guess all we can do is pray, so thats what I'll do.

[jayne]

I'm praying for some relief and peace in this boy's mind and body and in the family unit before the Lord calls the child home - whenever that may be.

[Caleb]

Yes it is sad, so very very sad.

It is the result of sin in the world.
It is heart breaking to see and witness things like this, but that (hopefully) should help us to realise just how destructive sin is. We can so easily embrace sin, and yet become so devastated by the results of sin.

Do we begin to grasp something as to why God so utterly hates and will not accept any sin, not even spot, wrinkle or stain?
Do we begin to grasp something as to why God does and will destroy everything touched by sin, and He will create all things new?

I thank and praise Almighty God that in the new heavens and new earth, there will be no sin and no ability for sin whatsoever.

[Cloudwalker]

First off, let me assure you that I will be praying. It is a good thing that you feel for this child and his family. The real question is how do you reach out to them. I could give you suggestions but it is easier to point you toward something I wrote and posted in the blog section of this board. Here is a link to it. I will admit that it was actually written to help people who have a friend who is grieving the loss of someone close to them but a good number of the things I say would apply here as well. Remember the Bible does tell us to weep with those who weep.

[david]

Right now, I feel broken. My heart feels like it never has before. Maybe because I've never been exposed to such heart break, but... I feel it. I want to reach out, and comfort. And love. Not with a sappy love, but with unconditional love. That goes beyond measure. I want to hold all the suffering people, and let them know that God is going to handle everything.

The news that I received today, broke me into a million pieces. Maybe, just maybe, I am too weak. Who knows, I may be too sensitive. I work with children who have disabilities. There is this one little boy who is seven years old. He has epilepsy. The doctors have put him on almost every medication to calm down his seizures, nothing has seemed to work. They have even removed half of his brain. Nothing stops these terrible seizures that are taking over him. Today his parents came into school and told us that the doctors said that they no longer can do anything for him. and that everyday he is deteriorating. He is dieing.

How do you accept a statement like that? How can you look at this precious little boy, who is undergoing so much suffering, and not just break. No, I am not loosing my faith. I am simply wanting to know why. Which is really a silly question because I will not know why because God is God and He doesn't have to explain himself. And, I was thinking.. if I am this broken over this, how much more broken and distraught the Lord must be. His love for me is a million times more, and His hurt has got to be a million times more than mine too.

I know I can pray. And that is what I will do... but so much sadness rests on my heart. Wanting to know in which way can I help. How can I comfort. How can I ease the pain... but really... it is in His hands. Before it was in His hands, and from here on out... it is in His hands.

I ask you for your prayers. A deep humble and intense prayer for this little boy. And all the children who suffer. all the families.

Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. Psalm 10:12
O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear Psalm 10:17
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; but you shall be called the priests of the LORD; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations. Isaiah 61:1-11
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Luke 6:21

[lovex]

Thank you, my friends. Your words mean so much to me.

I don't want to let this affect me for a few days and then forget about this young boy and his family. I know that many times, I am guilty of seeing something that really hurts, and then... I move on to the next. This one holds a part of my heart and I don't want to stop praying or having hope. For all people, really. There is a great load of sadness in this world.. and I'm sure many of those people feel unknown. God has really placed it on my heart to have compassion and empathy. To be honest, sometimes it becomes a lot. Because I am so overwhelmed with wanting to help and comfort and show love, that it starts to feel like a lot. But, God will give me the strength and courage to help those in need. I am not God though, so I do need to realize that I can't do everything... and that everything comes and stays in His hands.

I have always been very, very sensitive. Which, I guess can be good and bad. I don't want to walk around like I cannot control my tears and constantly crying, but most of the time inside, that's how I feel. I want to remain patient and humble during affliction. Continue to pray, and never stop helping or doing good.

Thank you again for your prayers. I hope I can in return pray for you all.

[BibleGirl02]

One thing I love about Catholicism is that I can see purpose in suffering. No, I don't want anyone to suffer but I do believe that one can offer up their sufferings and unite them to the sufferings of Christ in order to gain more grace either for themselves or for others.

[Dani H]

One thing I love about Catholicism is that I can see purpose in suffering. No, I don't want anyone to suffer but I do believe that one can offer up their sufferings and unite them to the sufferings of Christ in order to gain more grace either for themselves or for others.

Do you have any Scriptures to back up this statement??

[david]

One thing I love about Catholicism is that I can see purpose in suffering. No, I don't want anyone to suffer but I do believe that one can offer up their sufferings and unite them to the sufferings of Christ in order to gain more grace either for themselves or for others.

I think this verse relates to what you are saying:

"But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:32-36 "

[Servant89]

One thing I love about Catholicism is that I can see purpose in suffering. No, I don't want anyone to suffer but I do believe that one can offer up their sufferings and unite them to the sufferings of Christ in order to gain more grace either for themselves or for others.

You are right on one thing, that is indeed PURE CATHOLICISM ... because that doctrine is not found in the Greek Orthodox or any Protestant Church. It is not found in Scripture either.

Peace

[Servant89]

Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Think about Job, think about the cross of Jesus.

Life here on earth is not paradise. People want it to be, but it is not. People want it to be perfect here on life under the sun. But this is all a test. If we keep our eyes on eternity and not on this life, it will make sense. Life here on earth does not make sense when we take eternity out of the equation.

Peace

[shepherdsword]

How do you accept a statement like that? How can you look at this precious little boy, who is undergoing so much suffering, and not just break. No, I am not loosing my faith. I am simply wanting to know why.

I understand this desire fully. I have watched my entire family suffer in too many ways to state.So much so it shook my faith in God's good intentions. I have found that the best place for me is never to ask the question "Why". For me,it just opened up a long line of reasoning that resulted in my concluding that God didn't really care for me. I know that's a lie but when in deep pain it is very easy for the devil to get the reins on our reason. I am not saying you are there but that's where I was. I broke out of that stronghold by casting down any thought that told me God was being unjust or unfair. It breaks my heart to see the innocent suffer. I guess because I suffered so much as a child myself. When I am tempted to ask "why" I throw the thought down and speak the truth in my inward parts "God,you are loving and forgiving.You are holy and just.There is nothing you do that is evil or unjust.You allow in your wisdom what you could prevent with your power."
I violently take hold of my thoughts and refuse to accept any thought that accuses God. I recognize that the devil not only is the accuser of the brethren,he is also the slanderer of God.
I'm not saying you are where I was at or even that you should do this. I have just learned it's better to never ask why.

[Dani H]

I always ask why. And, I always get answers. Some immediate, others years later, yet others ... some day.

However, along with me asking "why" also goes me asking "what do You want me to do?" Because that's immediate.

Many ask "why" and do nothing further until they have an answer that satisfies them. Well, what if that answer doesn't come until years later, because you're not ready to hear it? Then what? You just going to sit around questioning God for years and years?

So we can't stop there.

I mean, we can (obviously), but what good does that do?

We have to take what we know to be true about Jesus into these situations with us, and respond to them in deed and truth, and serve Him in them.

So ... weep with those who weep, pray for those you see suffering under your nose, do what you can to love them in that suffering and join yourself to them in whatever way you believe God would have you do, and according to what you know to be true from Scripture as to how you're to act in that situation.

If that was your child, what would you do and how would you want others to respond? Usually boils down to something as straightforward as that. Do unto others ... etc.