Walking Together: Authentic Love in Times of Suffering

Devotional

Day 1: Persevering in Suffering Points Others to Jesus

Suffering is an inevitable part of life, and while we may never receive a clear answer to the question of "why," we are called to persevere through it. Like Job, who was commended not for his perfection but for his endurance, we have the opportunity to point others to Jesus by how we respond in our pain. Our history, even the painful parts, can become part of God's story of grace and hope, offering comfort to others who are suffering. When we allow God to use our struggles, we refuse to let pain or the enemy have the final word, and instead, we become living testimonies of God's sustaining love. [01:02:42]

Job 2:11-13 (ESV)
"Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great."

Reflection: When you face suffering, how might you allow God to use your pain as a way to encourage or comfort someone else who is struggling right now?

Day 2: The Healing Power of Presence and Silence

There is a deep, healing power in simply being present with someone in their pain, even when we don't have the right words to say. Job's friends, before they spoke, sat with him in silence, sharing in his grief and letting their presence communicate care. Sometimes, the most loving and wise thing we can do is to sit quietly with someone, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through our presence. In a world that rushes to fix or fill silence, choosing to be present and silent can be a profound act of love and support. [01:09:45]

Romans 12:15 (ESV)
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."

Reflection: Who in your life is hurting right now, and how can you offer them the gift of your silent, caring presence this week?

Day 3: Carrying Each Other’s Burdens Fulfills the Law of Christ

We were never meant to carry the weight of life alone. Scripture calls us to help bear one another’s burdens, especially when life becomes more than we can handle by ourselves. Allowing others to help us, and being willing to help others, is not a sign of weakness but a fulfillment of Christ’s law of love. Men and women alike need support, and it is both humble and Christlike to ask for help and to offer it, creating a community where no one walks alone. [01:16:28]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: Is there a burden you need to let someone help you carry, or is there someone whose load you can help lift this week?

Day 4: Authentic Community Is Built Through Shared Life

True community is formed not just by sharing the good times, but by being real with one another—sharing both joys and struggles. Our world is hungry for authenticity, and when we let others see our real lives, including our imperfections, we invite deeper connection and trust. Community is built around tables, in laughter and in serious conversation, and by walking together through all seasons of life. Faith is caught, not just taught, as others watch how we live and love in everyday moments. [55:34]

Acts 2:46-47 (ESV)
"And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally invite someone into your life this week—whether through a meal, a conversation, or shared activity—to build authentic community?

Day 5: Love People, Don’t Try to Fix Them

Our calling is not to fix people, but to love them as Jesus does. While we may offer wisdom or truth when needed, our primary role is to walk alongside others, letting the Holy Spirit do the work of healing and transformation. People need to know they are loved, not just managed or corrected, and it is through steadfast, patient love that lives are changed. In a world of quick fixes, choosing to love well—especially when we don’t have all the answers—reflects the heart of Christ to those around us. [01:20:33]

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life you are tempted to “fix”? How can you choose instead to simply love and walk with them this week, trusting God to do the deeper work?

Sermon Summary

On this Father’s Day, we gather with gratitude for the many ways God’s love is made tangible through the people around us—especially those who step in to fill the gaps, whether as fathers, mentors, or friends. For some, this day is a celebration; for others, it brings pain or longing. Yet, in every circumstance, we are reminded that God is a Father who never fails, and that the church is called to be a family that walks together through every season of life.

We live in a world that craves authenticity and genuine community. People are quick to spot what is fake, and what they long for is real connection—people who will walk with them, not just in the good times, but especially in the hard times. The church is uniquely positioned to offer this kind of community, not by having all the answers or quick fixes, but by being present, sharing life, and carrying one another’s burdens. Our gatherings, meals, and shared laughter are not just social events; they are sacred opportunities to build relationships where faith is caught as much as it is taught.

Suffering is an unavoidable part of life. Like Job, we will all be “squeezed” by circumstances beyond our control, and what comes out in those moments reveals what is truly within us. God does not waste our pain; our history becomes part of His story when we allow Him to use our hurts for His glory. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do for someone in pain is simply to be with them—silent, present, and willing to sit in the ashes. Job’s friends got it right, at least at first, by joining him in his suffering without trying to fix him or offer explanations.

We are called to carry each other’s burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ. This means both offering help and being humble enough to receive it. True love does not seek to fix people, but to walk with them, pointing them to the One who truly heals. Jesus models this for us—He loves us in our mess, corrects us when needed, but never abandons us. Our task is to love well, to be present, and to let the Holy Spirit do the work only He can do.

May we be a church that is known for walking with people in their pain, for loving authentically, and for building a community where the next generation can see and experience the love of Christ in action.

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Key Takeaways

1. Authenticity and Community Are Deep Needs in Our World In a culture saturated with information and superficial connections, people are desperate for real relationships and genuine community. The church’s calling is to offer a place where people can be known, loved, and accepted as they are, not as we wish they would be. Authenticity means letting others see both our strengths and our struggles, trusting that God works through our real lives, not our polished facades. [52:41]
2. Presence Is More Powerful Than Words in Times of Suffering When someone is hurting, our instinct is often to offer advice or try to fix the problem. Yet, as seen in Job’s story, the most healing gift we can give is our presence—sitting with someone in their pain, even in silence. This costly act of being with others where they are, rather than where we want them to be, allows the Holy Spirit to minister in ways our words cannot. [69:09]
3. God Uses Our Pain as Part of His Redemptive Story Suffering is inevitable, but it is not wasted in God’s hands. Our history—every hurt, loss, and disappointment—can become part of His story of grace and redemption. When we allow God to use our pain, we become living testimonies of His faithfulness, able to comfort others with the comfort we have received. [62:42]
4. Carrying Each Other’s Burdens Fulfills the Law of Christ We are not meant to walk through life alone. Carrying one another’s burdens means both offering support and being willing to receive it, even when it challenges our pride or self-sufficiency. This mutual support is not a sign of weakness, but of Christlike love, and it is how the church becomes a true family. [75:35]
5. Love Does Not Seek to Fix, But to Walk With Our calling is not to fix people, but to love them as Jesus does—walking with them through their mess, offering truth and correction when needed, but never withholding our presence or affection. True love is patient, willing to sit in the ashes, and trusts the Holy Spirit to do the deep work of healing and transformation. [77:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:42] - Father’s Day Reflections and Community Announcements
[14:04] - Upcoming Events and Church Life
[17:00] - Victory in Jesus: The Battle Belongs to God
[32:49] - Sharing Prayer Needs and Updates
[36:48] - Stories of Caring for One Another
[39:44] - Ongoing Prayer Requests
[41:15] - Updates on Health and Community Concerns
[42:42] - Celebrating God’s Work in the World
[52:41] - The Need for Authenticity and Community
[54:38] - Building Community Through Shared Life
[55:34] - Faith Is Caught, Not Just Taught
[57:58] - The Importance of Shared Suffering
[61:07] - Persevering in Suffering: Lessons from Job
[66:06] - The Cost and Power of Presence
[69:09] - The Ministry of Silence and Support
[72:09] - The Healing Presence of the Holy Spirit
[74:26] - We Are All in the Same Storm
[75:35] - Carrying Each Other’s Burdens
[77:12] - People Need Love, Not Fixing
[80:33] - Loving Like Jesus in Community
[82:22] - Stories of the Church Being the Church
[85:04] - The Power of a Church Family
[86:15] - Seeing and Responding to Suffering
[87:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
[91:07] - Invitation to Community and Final Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Job 2:11-13 (NIV) — When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

Galatians 6:2 (NIV) — Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

John 13:34-35 (NIV) — “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Observation Questions

According to Job 2:11-13, what did Job’s friends do when they heard about his suffering? What stands out about their actions?
In Galatians 6:2, what does Paul say is the result of carrying each other’s burdens?
The sermon mentioned that Job’s friends sat with him in silence for days. Why do you think they chose not to speak at first? [[01:08:19]]
What does Jesus say will show the world that we are his disciples, according to John 13:34-35?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon pointed out that presence is more powerful than words in times of suffering. Why might silence and simply being there be more helpful than trying to give advice? [[01:09:09]]
The pastor said, “Our history is part of His story. God doesn’t waste a hurt, a pain.” How can our own experiences of pain become part of God’s redemptive work? [[01:02:42]]
What does it mean to “carry each other’s burdens” in practical terms? Why might it be hard for some people to let others help them? [[01:15:35]]
The sermon emphasized authenticity and real community. Why do you think people today are so hungry for genuine relationships, even in the church? [[52:41]]

Application Questions

The pastor shared that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for someone in pain is just to be present and silent. Think of a time when you or someone you know was hurting. How did someone’s presence (or absence) make a difference? Is there someone in your life right now who needs you to simply “sit in the ashes” with them? [[01:09:09]]
The sermon challenged us to be authentic and let others see both our strengths and our struggles. Is there an area of your life where you tend to hide your struggles from others? What would it look like to let someone in this week? [[52:41]]
Carrying each other’s burdens means both offering help and being willing to receive it. Are you more comfortable helping others or letting others help you? Why do you think that is? What is one step you could take to grow in the area that’s harder for you? [[01:16:28]]
The pastor said, “Love does not seek to fix, but to walk with.” When you see someone struggling, is your first instinct to try to fix their problem or to walk with them? How can you practice loving someone this week without trying to “fix” them? [[01:17:51]]
The sermon talked about building community through shared life—meals, laughter, and being together. What is one practical way you can build or strengthen community with someone in our church family this month? [[54:38]]
The pastor shared stories of people who stepped in as spiritual fathers, mentors, or friends. Who has filled that role for you? Is there someone you could encourage or mentor in the next generation? [[01:21:39]]
The message reminded us that suffering is inevitable, but God can use it for His glory. Is there a painful part of your story that God might want to use to encourage someone else? What would it look like to share that with someone who needs hope? [[01:02:42]]

Sermon Clips

We are reminded in Ephesians that we don't battle the way this world. It's not against flesh and blood that we battle. But we battle in the armor of God, by the Spirit of God, by persevering in prayer. [00:27:12]

The battle belongs to God. And when we are his, Paul is the one who first said it. We sung the words, though. If God is for us, who can be against us? In the real end, the whole world may be against us. But when God is for you, man cannot do anything finite, definite, to end us, because God is victorious. [00:31:58]

One of the things our world desires is authenticity and community meaning even in the world of YouTube stars and social media influencers people are quick to point out when you're fake and they will point it out real quick. [00:51:50]

There was a time in history where community was built in our societies, was ingrained, and people needed more truth. They needed teaching. They needed education. And not anymore. You can find all the information you want at a click of a finger, but you cannot find community. [00:55:12]

Faith, as I've said over and over, I believe, maybe some of you remember, maybe not, and that's okay. Faith is caught, not just taught. My kids won't just know what I taught them verbally about things, but they will see how I interact with things. They will see how I interact with people. And that speaks much louder, for better or for worse. [00:56:03]

Suffering is inevitable in life. This life is not perfect. This world is not perfect. Because of sin, we have suffering. Some of us will suffer great. Some of us will not suffer much at all. But we will all suffer. [00:59:43]

As one commentator in his commentary exalting Jesus and Job, you can't see the little white because I forgot it was there, quoted C .S. Lewis being asked, why should the righteous suffer? And C .S. Lewis responded, why not? They're the only ones who can handle it. Even when life loses its luster due to suffering, it is still worth living. [01:00:07]

As another writer gave the example, we all are like sponges, but how do you know what a sponge is filled with? You squeeze it. If you want to know if the sponge has soap and you definitely don't have maybe the blue or green or colored filled soap, you have to squeeze it to know what's in it. Sometimes the same is true for you and me, and I wish it were not so. But sometimes we need to be squeezed, and guess what? Life will squeeze us. The question is, is what is coming out? [01:00:44]

We must learn to persevere in our suffering because when we suffer, we get the opportunity to point people to Jesus in the midst of suffering when they also suffer. Because people are looking for answers, and when we have spent time in a relationship prior to their suffering and maybe in their suffering and after their suffering, we get the opportunity to say, this is how I've coped. It wasn't fun. [01:01:58]

We need to be remembered. And I don't offer this statement as a cliche or bumper sticker theology, but we must remember our history is part of his story. God doesn't waste a hurt, a pain. He wants to heal us from that. We must be willing to do that, but our history can become part of his story about his goodness, his grace, and his gospel. [01:02:31]

Your presence in that time will cost you something. And this is why I think many times we don't join others in their pain. It is costly. It will hurt. Because you're actually giving the one thing you cannot create, and that is time itself. But your presence there means quite a bit. [01:05:57]

We need to join others where they are, not where we want them to be. I think it's great that here, in their wisdom they had at that time, they didn't say, Job, let's get out of here. Let's go back home. Because actually, if I'm correct, and I do...think I am in this case, that it was months after the tragedies, his time of public mourning, his time of being in the ash heap is supposed to be over with. Yes, he still has a boil. Yes, he's not necessarily healed. He may not be going on to life as it was before. It's never possible to go back as if something doesn't happen. But he could have moved forward in a sense of this happened. This has changed my life, but I must continue on. And instead, they sit with him. [01:07:29]

How powerful in our current world, where they can find anybody to tell them the next five things they can do, for you and I to be intentional about when someone's in pain, to sit there and just sit. Sit. And if you have to other words, you go, it stinks, doesn't it? And you sit and you pray and turn away. You don't necessarily have to pray over them. And you just sit. You know what's hard about just sitting? You think you think you're not doing anything. What's hard about silence? It's deafening. We think we've got to feel it. Sometimes we've just got to sit and keep our mouths shut. [01:08:39]

If only you would be altogether silent. This is after they raised their voices. If only you would be altogether silent. For you, that would be wisdom. What a great way of saying, stop talking. In a culture that loves wisdom of that day, and I think we all want knowledge and wisdom today, we need to realize that sometimes the most wise thing, the most honoring thing, the most truthful thing we can do is stay quiet and let the presence be there. [01:11:30]

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, when you come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, as the Messiah, you are given a gift. Boys, what gift is that that you get the moment you are saved that lives in you now? Now, Holy Spirit, Lisa, they're getting it. I should pick on Samuel, too, because he should know this. You're still a boy. You could have figured that out. The Holy Spirit is in you, which means you have the presence of God in you, and when you are with somebody in their pain, the great physician, the wonderful counselor, the prince of peace is there because the Holy Spirit is there, amen? You don't need to do anything. The Holy Spirit can do it. [01:12:41]

We may not all be in the same boat, but we all are in the same storm. Some of us are in the same boat. I joke with Shannon, we joke back and forth. You know, we're in the same boat. It may be the Titanic going down, but we're in the same boat. Okay? We aren't all in the same boat. My pain, my suffering isn't the same as Greg's. Praise Jesus, that he doesn't have to deal with mine. We're in similar boats. Some of you are grieving losses that are real and losses of ideals of what may be. I'm not in that boat right now necessarily, but I might get in a similar boat later. Be kind. Support one another. [01:14:26]

Men, let me speak to us. You need support too. It's okay to ask for support. I know our culture, and I know even some within our Christian community, we talk about being manly men, and we need that. Okay? But true men also say, I need help. And true men can be the comforter to our kids and to others. Our kids need to know that it's okay to have some feelings besides anger and violence. And they also need to know that it's okay sometimes to say, I need help. Let others help you. [01:15:11]

Here's what Jesus says, and this applies to Wallace. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. The word for burdens here is this, when life becomes more than you can carry on your own. When you need somebody else to lift the other side of things, help carry one another's burdens, and you will fulfill the law of Christ this way. [01:15:58]

People need to be loved, not fixed. I can't fix anybody. I've tried. I've tried. I've tried. you know what happens? They break again. Or they blame me because it didn't work. Partially true. Because I tried to fix them. Now, does this mean that if I love them, I'm not going to speak truth to them? I'm not going to point them in the way of wisdom? I'm not going to point them somewhere else? No. I will do those things because I love them, but my job isn't to fix them. My job is to love them and let the Holy Spirit and Jesus do the fixing. Because he and he alone is the great physician. He and he alone is the one who is the wonderful counselor. And the Holy Spirit can do more than you and I can. We need to be reminded of that. [01:16:57]

I think what we need to be reminded from the story of Job is when we love people, we love them because we don't know the whole story. We don't know why, but I know I can love. And you know what? That's hard. In a world of quick fixes, people think they need to be fixed when I think they need to feel love. How do they do that? When someone will walk with them in an authentic way, sharing the ups and the downs and in community. Jesus does both those things. [01:19:55]

So our goal this week, today, is love. Love well. Not a love that anything goes. I'm not saying that. But a love that says, I will love you enough to sit with you where you are, to walk with you on this journey, and to point you in the way, sometimes using words. And your pain is not too much for us, for me. We'll go. [01:20:38]

Why am I in a 151 -year -old church? Because when the church is the church, lives change. And yes, church plants are necessary. We need churches of all different kinds. But my story that Jesus is using is the fact that we, as an old church, can be the church for the next generation, which is powerful, which is necessary. We need a both and structure so that together we point to Jesus where we go, wow, what a savior we have. What amazing God we have that would let us walk together in these moments. [01:25:08]

So let us do that. And when you come across people in their pain, just be with them. You go, I don't know what to say. You don't have to say anything. Sometimes you might, but just be with them. Because before people want to hear what you have to say, they have to know that they have saw people. And I paraphrase the words of Job 2, verse 13. They need to see that we see how great their suffering is. And then healing can happen. [01:26:02]

May you receive this benediction and blessing. And so may you know that our Savior is one who can empathize and sympathize with us in every way, because he too has walked this world, yet he was without sin. And so may you approach him confidently, because his is a throne of grace. His is a heart of love as he works with you and intercedes for you and to you about his kingdom and his glory. And so may we go from here being willing to walk with the pain of others, even in our own pain. And may you go from here allowing others to walk with you on this painful journey, so that the gospel and the law of Christ may be fulfilled as we carry one another's burdens. [01:31:34]

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