1 Peter 3:8,12 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: … 12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
I grieve at our loss, but I keep on living. As I do, I must not forget what I am here for—to serve, honor, and praise God. My grief can complicate matters when people get in my way. I just want to withdraw and protect myself from further hurt, but there they are, people all around me with problems of their own and demands on my time.
My personal sorrow is no excuse not to practice right living. Furthermore, when I show love and compassion it takes my mind off my own personal grief. If I get lost in my sorrow, I forget that the people around me are suffering their own pain as well. I may try to convince myself that my pain is deeper than theirs but in reality, though different, it is just as real and just as deep. As I have needed comfort so do they, whether it be the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, a betrayal, a financial reversal, or anything else causing them hardship.
2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. As I have received comfort, so I am called to give comfort to others. They need someone to come alongside and not another person telling them to “just get over it.”
God hears the prayers of those that do this. Lord, I pray, keep me from withdrawing from others, making excuses why I cannot live the way You would have me to.