We want people to help us when our country has natural disasters or violence, but do we turn our backs on those who experience the same things in other countries and are we turning our backs on Jesus in the process?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 11 Corinthians 1:3-5

We want people to help us when our country has natural disasters or violence, but do we turn our backs on those who experience the same things in other countries and are we turning our backs on Jesus in the process?

This is an important one for all of us to prayerfully contemplate. There was an outpouring of financial and emotional support for those who were devastated in our country this last year. I didn't get the feeling that there was the same outpouring toward those in other countries who experienced similar situations and often much worse!

First, I have to look at myself before I address anything else. I realize that I donated much more to things that happened in my own country and although I donated, less resources were focused on those of other countries. So, it seems, I'm guilty of this one, as well, but I can't resolve this that easily.  This portion of the passage: God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God, lets me know that I need to make a much more conscious act of being a support to those who are experiencing these things abroad, as well as those in our own country. 

So, what if you can't afford to donate to all those in need throughout the world? We all can and should make a commitment to keep them in our prayers, not just for a couple of days, because many of these people are experiencing these devastating situations for an extended period of time. We can also be prayerful about ways to help. Maybe, we can have a bake sale, garage sale, etc. to benefit those in need. Maybe we can help at our church as they package things to send to those who have had devastating events. It doesn't have to actually cost money to be a comfort to others!