2 Corinthians 1:4 He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. (The Message)
The title of chapters 1 & 2 in The Message says it all in two words - THE RESCUE.
As a parent, grandparent and former caregiver of children, I have dealt with many different situations where the children had to be 'rescued'. From holding them when they fell or helping them work through their fears by listening to them or when their feelings were hurt, trying to show them how to handle those emotions. And by showing compassion and being there for them when they needed me, said to that child,'you are special and I love you.'
Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. wrote a poem ins 1972 entitled, 'Children Learn What They Live'. There are 19 lines that start with 'If children live with'______and then ends with 'they learn to'_______. I believe everyone should read this at least once as it can open a person's eyes and maybe change their ways of thinking.
When we are struggling and need to be 'rescued', we can turn to God to hold us until we are better and to help us through our fears and emotions. He is always here and always shows compassion and, for me, that translates into, 'you are special and I love you'.
As we go through hard times, God tells us to lean on him. And when 'we live with the security' from God 'we learn to have faith'. That faith in him prepares us to, as the Scripture says, be alongside someone else who is going through hard times as God was with us.
Nancy
