Comforting the Afflicted

There is a local pond and archery range about five miles from my home.  The pond is regularly stocked with fish and many people like to go there on any given afternoon to fish, or have a picnic lunch, or practice their archery skills.  Several months ago, my daughter went to the park to spend some time in the sun and enjoy the peaceful setting.  It is not uncommon to see flocks of ducks and geese gathered at the water’s edge.  As she was observing the geese, she was greatly dismayed by what she saw and took a video. When she returned home from the pond, I noticed that she was quieter than usual.  Several hours later she came and showed me the video.  I observed the geese milling around the water’s edge, drinking water and looking for breadcrumbs. 

Then I saw it…

Photo by Noelle Nevue

 …and my heart broke. 

My first reaction was shock and dismay, and immediate compassion for this goose.  My daughter and I both deeply felt the emotional strain of trying to balance the knowledge of how serious the situation was but realizing that this was a wild animal and there really wasn’t much we could do to intervene and offer aid.

My second thought was, “I know people in my life right now who would look at the picture of this goose and say they could relate to it.”  They walk amongst their family and friends and within society itself, trying to live their lives as best as they can.  They go to work and the grocery store and act like everything is okay, but metaphorically speaking, life has shot an arrow straight through their heart.  Whatever the circumstance, it wasn’t a “death blow,” but it was a serious wound…one that lingers, and the pain and discomfort is a constant reminder.  For those who have eyes to see, it is an obvious wound in need of compassion and attention. 

Lately, it seems like life as we have always known it is coming apart at the seams.  The fabric of society is being stretched and frayed at the edges.  We face many issues, both individually and as a nation, and we have strong opinions and are passionate about our beliefs.  Let us remember that as believers, we are called to be in the world, but not of the world.  Our opinions matter, but as children of God our purpose is to bring the light and love of God to those around us, and this is a call for sacrificial love.  In this current climate of isolation and screens, it is easy to forget that we are dealing with people – people made in the image of God, whose souls are often hurting and in need of comfort, even if our opinions and political viewpoints differ. 

We serve a God who both saves and comforts His people.  I recently made a list of the many different ways in which God comforts us.  The list is by no means exhaustive, but here are a few highlights:

He hears our cry (Psalm 116:1)
He meets our needs (Philippians 4:13)
He draws near (James 4:8a)
He has compassion (Psalm 72:13)
He sympathizes (Hebrews 4:15)
He offers rest (Matthew 11:28)
He helps us (Psalm 46:1)
He loves us (Ephesians 5:2)

All of these attributes are relational.  He is the model by which we are to live our lives. 

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11)

As the world becomes a more polarized place in which to live, may we be a people known for love.  May we have eyes to see those around us who are hurting and respond with love and comfort.  Because we have experienced His great love, mercy and grace in our own afflictions, He instructs us to reach out to those around us by drawing near, having compassion, loving and meeting needs as He leads. 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” (2 Cor. 1:3-5)

His supply of comfort is abundant, and He “is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)