Reported on the news this past Sunday was a story about a pair of shooting incidents in Colorado, one at a Christian missionary (YWAM) facility and many hours later at a church some sixty miles away from the first shootings. The death toll was five including the gunmen who, apparently, was shot and killed by an armed security officer working for the church.

The dead included two teenage sisters, two girls who — as many of us would say — were just entering the prime of their lives. Now, a grieving family must plan their funerals less than two weeks away from Christmas.

I have nothing to say about the gunman, why the shootings happened or anything else other than this: Christians are not exempt from pain. I cringe when I hear so-called preachers misapplying scripture such as “no weapon formed against you shall prosper” to explain (in their view) that God will protect believers from tragic circumstances. Clearly, as it is in this case and in so many cases around the world, Christians do suffer. To the point of death, even.

We Christians can do real harm to others when we dismiss their pain. How do we do that? By glibly tossing scripture out to explain something away.

We don’t have to understand or give reason for someone’s pain, but we are called to come along side of our brothers and sisters by offering prayers on their behalf and direct practical assistance to them for the long term. Visiting the afflicted the first few days following a tragedy is important, but maintaining ongoing support is essential to their recovery.

Some of the most deeply wounded people in the world are God’s children who have endured intense trials, yet have not been held up by His people who are Jesus’ arms, hands and feet to them.

Is there someone in your life who needs Jesus’ touch? You can be that important physical manifestation of His body by making yourself available to them.

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