Get Inspired By Scriptures and Nature

When a Child Has Cancer

Has childhood cancer struck someone you know, perhaps even a child in your family? If so, here are some interviews that may help you to understand that your grief is normal. 

Included in this article are some Bible verses that have proved to be comforting to those who have similar experiences and the assurance that Someone powerful can come to their aid.

Please follow this link to read the article: When a Child Has Cancer

Comfort for Those Who Suffer

Countless people throughout the world are forced to face up to the reality of suffering. Many times, it is the innocent who suffer. Throughout history, there have been no limit to mankind's suffering in all its forms. It is little wonder that many ask, "Why does God allow such suffering?

Even for those with religious convictions, suffering is never easy to deal with. You too may wonder what reason a loving, all-powerful God could possibly have for permitting human suffering. Finding a satisfying and truthful answer to this puzzling question is vital for our peace of mind and our relationship with God. The Bible provides such an answer. Please consider what it has to say as presented here: Comfort for Those Who Suffer

Are You Lonely?

Loneliness is a powerful feeling, and it can be very painful. It is a feeling of emptiness. There is a sensation of isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other humans. It affects people of all ages and of all races, social strata, and creeds. 

No wonder why many people today experience loneliness. Is it possible to cope with loneliness?

What have some done to overcome this powerful feeling?

Here are comforting words from Someone who cares about us and doesn't want us to be lonely: 

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not gaze about, for I am your God. I will fortify you. I will really help you. I will really keep fast hold of you with my right hand of righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)

The following link will show us how to cope successfully with this feeling.

Alone But Not Lonely

Psalm 6

A comforting video for those who are feeling extreme loneliness and despair.

Our Helper and Our Shield

A less than three minutes video based on Psalm 33:18-22. This will lift our spirits when we feel downhearted.

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Comforting Verses from Psalm 27

A few selected verses from Psalm 27, which can lift us up when we feel down.

Bible Verses That Comfort

"Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today."

-Matthew 6:34

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort - who comforts us in all our tribulations."

- 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

"Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God;  and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus." 

- Philippians 4:6,7

"Throw all your anxiety upon God, because he cares for you."

- 1 Peter 5:7

Guidelines to Help an Ailing Friend

Sometimes we find ourselves at a loss for words when talking to a friend who is seriously ill. We may fear that we utter the wrong words that might hurt him/her. So we just tend to watch the patient lying on the bed in an uncomfortable silence. How can we meet this challenge?

Here are a few Scriptural principles that can inspire us.

BE A GOOD LISTENER

"Every man must be swift about hearing, slow about speaking." -James 1:19

"There is...a time to keep quiet and a time to speak." -Ecclesiastes 3:1,7

BE EMPATHETIC AND CONSIDERATE

"Rejoice with people who rejoice; weep with people who weep." -Romans 12:15

"All things...that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them." -Matthew 7:12

BE UPBUILDING

"The tongue of the wise ones is a healing." -Proverbs 12:18

"Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt." - Colossians 4:6

BE HELPFUL

"Let us love, neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth." -1 John 3:18

REMAIN CONNECTED

"A true companion is loving all the time. and a brother that is born for  when there is distress." -Proverbs 17:17

Meditatively considering the above Scriptures can help us think of ways to make practical applications that can surely benefit both our sick friends and us.

(Based on Watchtower magazine, July 1, 2010, pp.10-13)

A Return to Youthful Vigor

"Let his flesh become fresher than in youth;

Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor."

- Job 33:25

This is an expression of hope that a loving Creator has extended to mankind. It points out to his will that humans  never get sick and grow old. He stated this purpose through a prophetic drama that revolved around the life of an ancient God-fearing man named Job. In this real life story, God's foremost enemy, Satan the Devil, inflicted Job with a malignant disease which sent Job to agony. In the end, Job kept his integrity and didn't let this adversity turn him away from God, which is a blow to Satan. Because of his faithfulness, God rewarded him by giving him back all his material losses in double quantity, and cured his illness to the extent that he looked much younger and stronger.

Since this is a prophetic drama, it definitely has a future fulfillment. Throughout his written word, God has made known his purposes for mankind in several ways. One of these purposes is that He will make righteous people go back to their youthful vigor.  This is especially comforting for those who suffer physical illnesses and the old ones who are afflicted by the ravages of old age. 

Actually, all of us can benefit from this promise because we are all affected by health problems and old age, and most of us wish  that we remain physically young. Our Creator too has never wanted us to get sick, grow old and die. That's why He provided for us a way out of such afflictions. We can learn about this by carefully examining His Written Word, which is like a personal letter of a loving father to his children. Only by studying His Word that we are able to comprehend why life is like this now, which is opposed to God's purpose , and what lies ahead in the future.

Right now, world conditions point to the fulfillment of Bible prophecies relating to these days, which the Bible calls "the last" days. These events herald the coming of the new world that our Creator has promised. Soon, everything will change for the better, and mankind will live a wonderful life for all eternity.

For a clearer understanding, the following Bible verses can be helpful.

Revelation 21:3-5                                    
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Isaiah 33:24
Isaiah 35:5,6
John 5:28,29
Psalm 72:16
Psalm 37:10,11,29

Comforting Scriptures About God

Some people think that God is an abstract or unfeeling entity. But the Holy Scriptures and the Book of Creation provide resounding testimonies as to his true identity: that he is a real person with deep feelings toward his creations. Here are a few Scriptures that tell us about God's personality. 

"Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth."

- Exodus 34:6

"His eyes are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him."

- 2 Chronicles 16:9

"You, oh Jehovah, are good and ready to forgive."

- Psalm 86:5

"Jehovah is good to all, and his mercies are all over his works."

- Psalm 145:9

"I, Jehovah, am your God, am grasping your right hand, the One saying to you, 'Do not be afraid. I myself will help you.'"

- Isaiah 41:13

"Blessed be...the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort."

- 2 Corinthians 1:3

"We shall assure our hearts before him as regards whatever our hearts may condemn us in, because God is greater than our hearts and knows all things."

- 1 John 3:19,20

Surely, it's comforting to know that God is a real person who knows us so well and cares so much about us and our feelings. This knowledge gives us confidence that we can make him our Best Friend and that we can turn to him for support at any time.