READ: MATTHEW 25:34-40; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-7

Have you ever visited a friend or family member in the hospital? Maybe you brought some of their favorite games or books or movies. While they might have been happy to see you, maybe they weren’t up for games or movies. It can be discouraging, especially if you visit again and again and they aren’t getting better. You might reach a point where you just don’t want to visit anymore.

Visiting someone when they are sick or injured can feel awkward, even if you know the person well. They might not want to talk much, or they might be too tired to carry on a long conversation. You may not know what to do or say, worried you’ll make things worse somehow. But the truth is, we don’t need to say much. Just being there for someone can be a powerful expression of love—the kind of love Jesus has for us. He never leaves our side, even when we’re sick or injured, even when we don’t have anything to say. Visiting someone in the hospital is a chance to show them that kind of love in a time when they might be feeling alone or forgotten.

It’s hard to see someone we love in pain, but Jesus will provide us with the strength we need. It can be so comforting for the person we’re visiting to know that someone cares enough to come and be with them. Your presence can comfort them, even if you feel awkward and uncomfortable and don’t know what to do. You can ask Jesus to reveal His love and hope in this situation. He will help you be the kind of friend He is—one who’s always with us, in good times and bad.

Do you have a friend or family member who is sick or injured right now? Maybe you could visit them and tell them you’re praying for them. You don’t have to know just the right words to say—just being there for them is enough. Or if visiting isn’t feasible, you could let them know you care about them by sending flowers or a card or something to make them smile. Remember, Jesus is the greatest Friend of all, and He will help us comfort one another. • A. W. Smith

• Jesus knows what it’s like to see someone you love hurting, and He also knows what it’s like to be the one who’s hurt. How could it be encouraging to know that, no matter what we’re going through, Jesus understands?

• Have you ever visited someone in the hospital? What was that like? Have you ever had to stay in the hospital, or stay home for a long time, because of a sickness or an injury? Can you think of any ways Jesus brought you comfort in that time, maybe through a person, a song, a Bible passage, something seemingly random that made your day, etc.?

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)