Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2021
Sunday, October 31, 2021
The God of all comfort comforts us in all our tribulation (2 Cor. 1: 3, 4).
Human beings are born with the need for comfort and the extraordinary ability to give it. For example, when a child falls and scratches his knees while playing, he runs crying to find his mother or father. They cannot heal you, but they can comfort you. They ask him what happened, they wipe his tears, they hug him and speak to him with affection, and perhaps they clean and bandage the wound. Immediately, the child stops crying and may even go back to play. In time, the wound will have healed. However, there are children who suffer much more serious injuries. Some are victims of sexual abuse, either once or for years. In either case, the emotional scars can be deep. Some abusers are discovered and punished, while others appear to have managed to evade justice. But, even if the offender receives immediate punishment, the victim continues to suffer even as an adult. w19.05 14 pars. 1, 2
What kinds of prayers can comfort those who suffer, and why?
Let us pray from the heart with those who suffer. The depressed person may be unable to pray. You may not feel worthy to turn to Jehovah. If we wish to help her, let us pray with her using her name. Let us tell Jehovah how much we love her, both ourselves and the congregation. And we beg him to ease the pain of his precious little sheep. These types of prayers can be a source of much comfort (James 5:16).
What will help us prepare to comfort another person?
Choose words that heal and comfort. Let's think before we speak. Thoughtless words hurt, but kind words heal wounds (Prov. 12:18). So let us ask Jehovah to help us find loving words to soothe and heal those who are hurt. Remember that the words with the greatest power are those found in the Bible, for they come from Jehovah (Heb. 4:12).
Because of bad experiences, what might some victims be convinced of, and what do we want to remind them of?
Because of past abuse, some may be convinced that they are unworthy and dirty, and that no one wants them. Moreover, they may believe that they do not deserve the affection of anyone. This is a ghastly lie. Let us therefore use the Bible to remind them that they are very valuable to Jehovah (see the box “Comforting Scriptures”). Remember that when the prophet Daniel felt weak and depressed, God sent an angel to strengthen him because he wanted him to know that he was valuable and dear (Dan. 10: 2, 11, 19). In the same way, Jehovah considers our afflicted brothers valuable.
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