These days I have lots of aches and pains: Bad knees, an ache in my lower back, arthritis in my hands. For the most part, I don’t let these things keep me from living my life and doing the things I want to do. But they are a reality.

Sometimes, I do things that do slow me down. I remember the day a few years ago when I stubbed the big toe on my left foot – twice! The first time was not so bad. It was one of those “I wish I hadn’t done that” moments. But the second time, I was walking to bed in the dark and seemed to have focus the entire force of my overweight frame on that poor little digit, inducing a profound ache. The next day, it hurt, but I didn’t pay much attention. The day after that, the pain radiated halfway to my ankle and across the top of my foot. I was limping noticeably. Yes, it hurt. So did having to explain to people why I was limping.

The truth of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12:26 kept coming to mind: If one part suffers, every part suffers with it! And rather than just aching and feeling sorry for myself, I contemplated on what that means for us as members of the body of Christ. We need to take care of the parts that are hurting. Just saying “that’s too bad” and not doing anything to help the hurting parts won’t make things better.

If the body is going to be healthy, we need to care for it. When I stubbed my toe, I soaked my foot in Epsom salts. When arthritis flares up, I use medicated creams on my hands. I get injections in my knees. But it is more than just reactive. I’ve been trying to eat better and stay active.  I want to take care of this body God gave me.

Jesus was always doing that, taking care of His body, the church. The most important thing He did was to pay for our sins and assure us of forgiveness, but He did so much more than that. He gave us the example of how to treat others. He was always showing love and care and concern. How can you do that? What can you do to alleviate the suffering of another part of the body of Christ? How can you show genuine care and concern for someone you know who is hurting right now? What would you want them to do for you if you were the one hurting?

We need to care for each other. Paul wrote about that to the Galatians: Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10)

I will be looking for ways I can share God’s love and care with those who are hurting.