2002-04-14 - Passages about Difficult Times

What do you hear from fellow Christians when you or some of your friends / family are going through difficult times? Sometimes we get the support we need, but sometimes we hear simplistic and/or incomplete phrases such as "just have faith," "figure out what you have done wrong and get right with God" or "get over it."

As is our habit on Sundays, we will read some passages about a topic, to see a sample of what God's word has to say.

1 Corinthians 12:26 (NASB) And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NASB) We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Romans 12:15-16 (NASB) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly.

Job 8:4-6 (NIV) {Job's friend's words} When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin. But if you will look to God and plead with the Almighty, if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your rightful place.......

Job 42:7-9 (NIV) After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job's prayer.

Colossians 4:8 (NASB) For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

Jan

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