Christ, as Lord, and ourselves as servants for Jesus' sake, and finally, let us be neither

downcast nor elated by comparing ourselves with ourselves, but leaving all judgment

until "that day" (I Cor. 4: 4, 5), let us seek closer conformity to the only standard that

matters, the will and word of God.

We have looked at the subject of sympathy as exhibited to others. Shall we just look

at the way in which a truly sympathetic nature must be developed. If we have grasped

the meaning of the word we shall know that no amount of reading or study can give us

this priceless Christ-like thing, for it means "suffering together".

Have we not felt at times how impossible it has been for a big healthy man, tanned by

sun and wind, with never an ache or a pain, to have real sympathy with the delicate

invalid, the sufferer from chronic headache, the one whose nerves are all on end, whose

digestion makes life a burden. He may give kindly words, but however well intended we

can sense the one fact that renders them of little value--he has never suffered. When we

reach out to Christ for sympathy as we fall into this or that trial along the way, we know

that His words will not be of the unfeeling variety, but that when we tell Him our griefs

He knows. Well then, this has a bearing upon ourselves. If we seek a life all sunshine, all

roses, with no clouds, no thorns, we are but seeking a life of self. We are avoiding the

opportunity of helping our fellow-members in their time of trouble. Paul gives full

expression to this secret process in II Cor. 1: 3-5:--

Paul had been taught many things by revelation, but it was necessary that he should

himself be in tribulation, and have an abounding share of the sufferings of Christ, before

he could be the channel of the comfort of God. Paul could not minister comfort by

passing on a mere recipe; the only comfort he found available was "The comfort

wherewith he himself had been comforted of God". In the midst, therefore, of your tears,

let this rainbow be seen. You stand by the sick bed or the open grave; you lie prostate,

and despair even of life, you know the bitterness of no employment. You may let these

things embitter you, make you murmur and complain, or permit them to mellow you, and

send you on the Christ-like ministry of soothing others with the balm you yourself

received from God. Christ Himself has suffered being tempted, and because of this He

can succour and sympathize.  May we all therefore be blessedly exercised by our

experiences, and reckon that we have been "graciously given on the behalf of Christ, not

only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake".