Daily Hope with Rick Warren

Let Your Pain Draw You Closer to Others - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - February 5, 2024

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Let Your Pain Draw You Closer to Others
By Rick Warren

"Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (NLT)

Suffering changes you. It can turn you away from self-centeredness and toward caring more about other people in pain.

One important way you can use your pain for good is to draw closer to others. If you're honest about the things that are causing you pain, then it will deepen your love and mature your relationships and sense of community. If you allow yourself to be vulnerable, then it will help you build authentic relationships.

There's a sad statistic that about a third of marriages end up in divorce after the loss of a child. People all grieve differently, and it can drive a couple apart.

When our son died, my wife Kay and I decided we were going to use our pain to grow closer together rather than let it drive us apart. We didn’t try to talk each other out of our pain. When Kay was going through a wave of grief, I would simply walk over and put my arm around her or just stand by her and be quiet. There were no words to say.

The deeper the pain, the fewer words you use.

Our small group came over after Matthew died. They said, "We're spending the night at your house. We're not going to leave you here alone. We're going to be with you." They didn't try to give us any words of wisdom. They just gave us the ministry of presence. They slept on our couches and on the floor. I'll never forget how it held us up.

The Bible says, "Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2 NLT).

You don't have to try to cheer people up when they're grieving. Instead, try to enter into their grief and feel it with them. Sharing in someone’s pain leads to building fellowship, becoming closer to other people, and strengthening relationships.

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Gods Great Love for You Rick WarrenYour Gift Brings Hope to the World

Teach the children in your life about God’s unchanging love.

"God’s Great Love for You" is a beautifully illustrated picture book designed to help children grasp just how deeply God loves them—no matter who they are or where they go.

Written by Pastor Rick Warren and illustrated by award-winning artist Chris Saunders, this book makes a meaningful gift for your children, your grandchildren, or any child you want to encourage in their walk with God.

It’s our thank-you for your generous support to help share the gospel around the world through the ministry of Daily Hope. Request your copy today—and thank you for your partnership!

*The gift book is hardcover with premium paper pages (9.3" x 11.2", green cover). The softcover is lighter and more flexible (8" x 8", blue cover). Both include the full story.

*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.

This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.

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