No One Should Weep Alone

by Rick Warren — March 8, 2022
From How the Church Meets Your Deepest Needs

“Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep."

Romans 12:15 (NLT)

If you’ve ever gone through a really tough time, you know how important it is to have someone wait and weep with you. That’s why God wants you to have the support of a church family—so you won’t be alone during inevitable times of crisis.

Nobody should ever have to wait in the hospital alone when a loved one is having a risky surgery. Nobody should have to wait alone for a lab report. Nobody should have to wait alone for news from a battlefield where their son, daughter, or spouse is serving. Nobody should stand alone in front of a new grave. Imagine the deep despair that comes with facing anything like this by yourself!

Tragic situations will happen in your life, and it’s wise to put a safety net into place now.

What is God’s safety net for you? It’s a group of believers who are committed to you and you to them.

Who is committed to you right now? Who would be by your side in an instant if you needed them, keeping you from despair? Or who can count on you to be there for them at a moment’s notice?

The Bible says, “You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other” (1 Peter 3:8 TLB).

My small group has helped me through very difficult times, and we’ve faced all kinds of trauma together. They’ve prayed for me, waited with me, and wept with me when I was scared to death. They’ve lived out Romans 12:15: “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep” (NLT).

Are you part of a small group, a group of committed people who will wait and weep with you? Don’t go through life without one, because community is God’s answer to despair.

Talk It Over

  • When is the last time someone waited and wept with you? How did their ministry of presence impact your faith?
  • Who are the people that make up your safety net?
  • How have you shown up for someone in their time of crisis?

Have You Joined God’s Family?

If you’re ready to trust God’s promise of salvation and join his spiritual family, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I receive you into my life as my Lord and Savior. Today, I’m turning every part of my life over to you. I want to follow you and do what you tell me to do.

“Jesus, I am grateful for your love and for your sacrifice that makes it possible for me to join you in heaven. I know I don’t deserve it. And I thank you that I don’t have to earn or work for my salvation, because I know that is impossible. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


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