“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.” (Philippians 4:10, ESV)
I have not kept it a secret that I am currently amid a battle with cancer. While the battle is real and I know that the Lord is the great physician, the struggle is not just physical. There are a lot of emotions that can plague a person going through this type of trial. This is where the body of Christ, the church comes in in a special way.
Over the past months of dealing with this cancer battle, I have received numerous text messages, cards, phone calls, and personal communications from church people. All have expressed concern and let me know that they have been praying for me. Moreover, people from churches all over the United States have been praying also. The communications from these people, for the most part, were not to give me medical advice, miracle cures and solutions, diagnoses, and biblical advice. The contacted me and just communicated their love, concern, and offered help in anyway that I might need it. Their expressions of love touched my heart and provided much encouragement. The Lord used them to lift my countenance.
Paul wrote to the Philippians to communicate a similar thing. The fact that the Philippian church had expressed concern for Paul lifted his spirits. Their love for him brought great joy amid the trial of his imprisonment.
Friends, the expression of your loving concern is good medicine for those undergoing affliction of any kind. You do not have to have the answers for the dilemma a person is encountering. The expression of your loving concern coupled with prayer will do much more for the person afflicted than you can possibly realize. So, let your brother or sister in Christ know that you are praying for them and let this not be just mere words. Truly pray.
Renewing the Heart 