Nobody wants to have an aching heart. But, for AFM missionaries, taking on heartache is one of the most important keys to successful ministry.

In Turkey recently, John and Mary Smith helped bear the crushing weight of Olga’s grief in the wake of a devastating car accident (p. 14). Also in Turkey, Paul Massey helped take care of Ahmet, a man who had lost the will to live, and pointed him to the God who loves and forgives (p. 6). Likewise, Daniel Greenfield was able to help a grandmother to the hospital, pray with her and relieve her fears (p. 44).

Sharing another’s heartache is a fundamental part of the ministry of all AFM missionaries—coming alongside hurting, broken people, shouldering their burdens and pointing them toward the Light.

Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Christ chose to share in our human aching. Was that necessary? Did His suffering make Him a more perfect sacrifice than He was before His incarnation? Couldn’t He have remained in heaven and simply dropped His perfect life into the celestial offering plate, so to speak? Why did He spend those 31 years of human aching down here on earth?

Because aching for others is important. It is the sanctified heart’s reaction to the fruits of sin, and it is the seed of righteous action. It reveals the heart’s true depth of love.

Today, as you read Adventist Frontiers and afterward, don’t overlook the carnage of this world that prompts the sympathetic ache in your chest. Let it sink in. As you minister to broken people and help shoulder their burdens, give glory to the God who is bigger than the pain. Ask him to transform your aching into action and work His salvation through you.

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