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I think the best thing that to do is really listen when people talk. To really feel the pain and heartache of those around us that need help.  I listen with my whole  heart.  Often I physically feel pain in my heart when people cry out for help, and feel sad because of my limited means all that I can do is pray for them. But  always trusting  with faith that God is listening.  Sometimes the things we think we need are not in the plans God has for our lives. I have lived through many painful times that in the beginning I thought it was the right path for me to take, and found out later the hard way, that it was not. I have been sad, lonely and depressed by the way friends behaved when I was in need and no one listen or called to find out how I was doing. So my mission in life is to always be there for those who need someone to listen or a shoulder to cry on. :)

Amen islandboy,

As Christians it is our place to have compassion for all. To care and to love for them as if they were our very own close brother. Many refuse to do so without expecting something in return even if that something is just the same kindness and attention. I am reminded of the following verses.

Mat 5:46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 5:47  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

I second Pastor Roger's amen, Islandboy.  Because of what you have been through, you will be a fruitful witness to others in need of Christ or some kindness and compassion.  I also try to listen and then speak as I am led by the Holy Spirit.....I find that others are more apt to listen to the Good News of Christ as a result.

Amen Islandboy, in my own experience, I have found that in spite of all the medical issues and serious illnesses I have gone through and continue to go through many of my family members and friends look to me for moral support and prayer. I too have gone through many times when I have been in pain and abandoned by some in my own family, but I have pulled through it all because God has given me the strength to do so. As a result those same family members and friends have come to me to find out how I do it, to ask for prayer and to cry on my shoulder. I believe God has a purpose for each and everyone of us. I too feel that I can see pain and sorrow in other peoples faces and eyes, I can look into a child's eyes and see their fears and I have become more sensitive to other people's needs.

2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

I like the way William Burkitt writes in his notes on:

1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

WBN

Here our apostle directs the ministers of Christ how to carry themselves towards their people, namely, that they should admonish those that are unruly and walk disorderly; that they should  comfort the feeble-minded, such as are dispirited by, and rejected under their afflictions, that they should bear with the weak in faith, and be patient towards all mankind.
 
Note hence, that the church of Christ here on earth, is like a hospital of sickly and infirm persons, labouring under great variety of spiritual diseases, and consequently fit objects of Christ's ministers, to exercise their patience and pains upon; some unruly, some weak, some feeble-minded; every person, every member of the church is a patient, and every patient has his particular distemper, which calls for indefatigable diligence, and invincible patience, from such as are spiritual physicians.