How can I help others in their adversity?

Romans 12:15Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

1 Corinthians 12:26If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

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

Hebrews 13:3Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

Share in each other’s adversity with empathy and compassion.

Job 2:11When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.

Job 42:11Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.

Psalm 69:20Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

We can comfort one another by remembering how God has comforted us in the past.

Proverbs 17:17A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Obadiah 1:10-11Because of the violence you did to your close relatives in Israel, you will be filled with shame and destroyed forever. When they were invaded, you stood aloof, refusing to help them. Foreign invaders carried off their wealth and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem, but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies.

We are to remain loyal and faithful to our friends facing adversity.

Acts 1:14They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 1:11You are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

Colossians 4:3-4Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

We can pray for those experiencing adversity.

Romans 15:26The believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.

Philippians 4:14Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

James 2:15-16Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

We can reach out and help in practical ways to meet the needs of those in trouble by sharing our possessions and resources.

Exodus 18:17-18“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.”

Ecclesiastes 4:10If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

When someone is overburdened with a situation or a responsibility, we can offer to help share the load.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-8Finally . . . we sent Timothy to visit you . . . We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through . . . I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless. But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love . . . So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.

We can encourage others’ faith by remaining strong and active in our own.