Comfort the Grieving

2 Timothy 2:24–25 “24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,”

If we are to be kind to our opponents, how much more should we be kind to those we truly care about and are called to shepherd?

Job 2:11–13 “11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. 12 And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. 13 And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.”

Romans 12:15 “15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

Both Job and Romans remind us, “Dont be too quick to offer answers (this is expecially true in the case of suicide). Let them cry. Allo them the freedom to feel numb. Pray for them. and praythat you will speak wisely when the time is right. Let them know you care by simply being there.

Ephesians 4:15 “15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”

Make your words saturated with God’s words, but not in a preachy manner.

1 Timothy 6:11 “11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 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.”

Colossians 3:12 “12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,”

Ephesians 4:29 “29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

John 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

aim to model the mind-set of Jesus as you strive to be “full of [both] grace and truth.

Gently Lead them to the Good Shepherd

Read the Psalm 23 - He comforts us in times of grief by walking with us, holding our hand as we face indescribable pain.

Move from Psalm 23 to John 10:11–15

“11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Jesus the good shepherd, has already laid down his life for them.

12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

Jesus the good shepherd, will never act like a hired hand by leaving his sheep.

13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

Jesus the good shepherd, is committed to and concerned for each of his sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

Jesus, the good shepherd, knows his sheep in relationship, just as he knows the Father in relationship.

God understands their pain

Genesis 23:2 “2 And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.”

Mourn = Sapad - “to tear the heart and beat the breast.”

Weep = Bakah - “to lament with great sorrow.”

Rel-assure them while they are in deep pain - Psalm 34:18 “18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

Reflect on the compassion and sympathy of Jesus in regards to Lazarus John 11:35 “35 Jesus wept.”

Pray with them, pray through - Hebrews 4:15 “15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”