Comforter (Part 2)

There is one essential spiritual ingredient needed. That essential ingredient is intercession. This is seen in the account of Job for God finally broke through to Job after Elihu shared this truth:

Job 33:19-26 "A man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in his bones, so that his very being finds food repulsive and his soul loathes the choicest meal. His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his bones, once hidden, now stick out. His soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the messengers of death."Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,to be gracious to him and say, `Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for him'--then his flesh is renewed like a child's; it is restored as in the days of his youth. He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state." 

Today spiritually we understand that the ‘mediator' Elihu speaks of is Jesus Christ, who intercedes for us according to Hebrews 7:25. Believers in Christ are empowered by the Holy Spirit to share in this ministry of intercession.

When we visit the afflicted, we don't need to explain to them why they are suffering. We do not need to tell them what to do, unless they specifically ask our advice. Instead, we should let them know: "I will walk with you through this. I will be a shoulder you can cry on. I will bring you before the Lord in prayer so that He may touch you." When we intercede in this fashion, it is not we who are interceding but the Spirit of Jesus Himself who is interceding through us.

Don't ever place religious condemnation on the sufferer. Don't say to him, "Strengthen your faith, pray, and God will restore you." This is not comfort, it's a Satanic accusation. If your faith is so strong, then you should pray. The book of James specifically states that those who are sick should be healed through the prayers of others in James 5:14-16. Should a doctor say to a patient: "Make yourself well"? When another person is afflicted, spiritually we are the doctors, and the afflicted is the patient. We are the ones who should exercise faith. Of course, the sufferer should confess any sins in his/her heart, but the Holy Spirit is the one who should convict of sin. It's not up to us to point out secret sins which we imagine they must be hiding. 

Speculation over the why things happen can prevent the where they end. Just be an encourager and burden bearer for those that are hurting around you.