In the last few days the news it seems has been full of tragedy and pain, pain for the relatives of those lost in the Air France plane, pain for the relatives of the man murdered by Al Queda, and pain for the parents who emailed me last night  that their baby had been still born.

I am baffled at times by Christians who seem immune to pain because of their faith. I remember well a time in my life when I was suffering, and being made to  feel inadequate because I was a Christian and surely supposed to be joyful in adversity.I don't think that is what Jesus wants. 

For any who suffer, it is painful and it does hurt, the gift that God has given us is not to take away our pain, but to hold us in his arms as a parent comforts a child,and to give us hope in a better world to come.

"Comfort my people,"says our God."Comfort them!
Encourage the people of Jerusalem.
Tell them they have suffered long enough"

Isaiah 40 vs 1-2