Janey suggests using small pain to help children understand the larger suffering in the world. "We can use our imagination to better understand God's heart and the pain of others. Next time your child falls or experiences some type of hurt, ask them to imagine for a moment what it might be like to be in pain and have no one to comfort you. Many children around the world have no one to hold them or dry their tears. Talking about these things will help your child develop compassion.

 "All of us will suffer in life," continued Janey. "Part of the purpose of suffering is learning to comfort others. Instead of running from pain, we sometimes need to allow ourselves, and our children, to let our minds park there."

One thing that keeps many of us from learning about the poor and oppressed is the concern that we will be overwhelmed with what we discover. We're afraid of discouragement.

"God wants us to identify with his suffering heart, but He doesn't want us to be without hope," Janey says. She encourages people to put aside a time to pray for the needs of the suffering of the world, then to walk forward believing and living in hope. "When you see answers to prayer, your heart rejoices and your faith is enlarged so you can continue to identify with those who suffer."

Janey also recommends keeping a healthy balance. "It's important to identify with suffering, but we must do it with balance. Start with small chunks of prayer. Don't start too big. Live a well-rounded life."

According to Janey, focusing on the character of God also helps fight discouragement. "God is good. He is there in the midst of suffering. Discover God in Scripture and hold to the promise that He will someday wipe away all tears."

For many of us, fear of suffering is another hindrance to our ability to enter this place in God's heart.

"Fear is one of the most horrific pains anyone can suffer," says Janey. "Think of your fear. Now, how much more must that street kid who is suffering have fear?" Janey encourages people to use their own fear as a catalyst to identify with those God wants them to pray for. "We don't have to be afraid of identifying with God's burden. The fear goes away as we learn to pray for the suffering. We become more and more like Christ. He strengthens us to share His burden."

Janey also said that God gives us control of our mind and the right to choose how much one enters into the suffering of others. "He allows you to identify with the suffering to the extent that you are able."

Janey suggested that we also discern the roots of our fears. If praying for the suffering of others brings up hurts from our past, she recommends seeking the Lord to heal those places before trying to care for people in a similar situation.

"Entering into the suffering of others is about intimacy with Christ," says Janey. "He wants us to share His burden. It's really about being His bride. Like a loving wife we choose to share His pain and co-labor with Him. As you choose as a family to partake of the suffering heart of Christ, you will grow toward God and each other. He will strengthen you for the task and show you ways to be his caring hands to the world."

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Orphans First is a ministry expressing God's heart to hurting children. Their website, www.orphansfirst.org, offers stories of specific children and ministries to children around the world. You can also subscribe to receive periodic prayer requests by clicking http://welovegod.org/groups/orphansfirst/ Opportunities for financial assistance are also listed on the website.
 
A home schooling mother of four, Paula Moldenhauer is passionate about God's grace and intimacy with Jesus. Her website offers home schooling hints, book reviews, and a free weekly devotional, Soul Scents. Subscribe to Soul Scents at www.soulscents.us. You can contact Paula at Paula@soulscents.us.