Just a Thought
We are all hurting, we are all broken. No one is immune to hurt or pain. I am asking us to be mindful of others and ourselves. I don’t care how much money a person has, what brand of clothes they wear, what kind of car they drive, or how big their house is. I’m going to say it again: no one is immune to hurt or pain. Why have we become desensitized to the hurts and needs of others? We isolate ourselves and turn our back on them. We don’t want to be bothered, or get our hands dirty per se. We say we are too busy. We postpone what we can do now and say, I’ll reach out to them next week when I have more time. The Bible states, Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you” -- when you already have it with you (Proverbs 3:28). Yet, we think our time is too costly; we have so many other things to do. We have our own problems to deal with. But wait, do you ever wonder when it will be us who are need? We never know when it will be us in those shoes, us who needs help. Whether it’s a kind word, a hug, a shoulder to cry on‚ the smallest gesture can make such an impact. We have become busy being busy, with no regard for anyone but ourselves.
What happened to 15: Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16: Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12: 15-16). Why have we become desensitized? I am saddened by our actions, our selfishness. Why do we turn our backs on those who need help? I don’t mean to go out looking for people to comfort. We have people right within our reach. (Our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends, our brothers and sisters.) We clearly see their hurt, pain, and anguish, yet we turn the other way. We don’t want to meddle or pry. We say, “It’s none of our business‚” or, “if they need help, they’ll ask for it.” Let me ask you something, how many times have you asked for help when you needed it? If you’re like me, by the time you ask for help, it’s because you’re dying of need. I think, “I don’t want to burden others. I can handle this. This isn't a big issue. They’re too busy. They’ve got their own things to worry about.” Yikes! Why have we all become so unavailable that a person in desperate needs has to call a crisis line and speak to a complete stranger because they have no social supports available? On the other hand, why are we so proud that we cannot ask for help? I’m frustrated and a bit angry with our actions and behavior.
In addition, we need to make allowance for offenses and not get easily offended when someone says or does something to us. Colossians 3:13 says, make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. When people lash out, we get offended. Of course, it’s a natural reaction to be defensive when someone hurts you. Have we looked past the offense to see their hurt? What is going on in their lives? Can we take our eyes off ourselves? Can we set aside our emotions and extend a hand, a kind word, or a prayer? The Bible specifically tells to love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44). Yes, there are some people who are not ready for the help, or you’ve tried many times and they are not receptive. I am not talking about those people. I am talking about those people who refuse to ask for help, when they clearly need it. Let’s be more loving, not just kind. Kind is smiling and turning the other way when someone is obviously hurting. Let’s love and be more like Christ. I believe there is one person you can help today. And if you’re the person who needs help, find someone who loves God and ask them to pray for you. Do not be afraid to reach out. It takes more courage to ask for help, then to try and deal with it on your own.
There are so many of us who battle or have battled with depression, suicide, stress, and illness. It’s just not talked about, but God did not create us be burnt out, isolated, forgotten, empty, hurt, or unloved. Maybe you feel that you can’t help others because you have your own struggles. Ask yourself, how is your relationship with God? Also, try helping someone in the midst of your troubles. I've noticed that when I help others in the midst of my hurt, I feel better. That’s spiritual maturity. And we all naturally feel better and uplifted when we help others. The world teaches us to be selfish, but God teaches the opposite. Jesus was a compassionate and loving servant. We must model his ways. Relationships are hard, but we need them. It’s easier to walk away from people who are hard to deal with, or to cut people out of our lives, simply because we think they are a hot mess. Maybe you are in need, but can’t ask for help because you feel like you don’t have anyone. I encourage you to reach out to a local church, find a counselor, or call a Crisis line. There are people willing and waiting to help. Be brave and share your struggles. God created us to have fellowship, and our fellowship should be first and foremost with Him. God has not forgotten you or turned his back on you. He sees all your hurt, He sees all your pain. Call on Him for help. The Bible says the Lord is close to the broken hearted (Proverbs 34:18). He wants to heal you and make you whole again.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all those reading, as well as for this inspiration to be more like Christ. Help us in our relationship with others. They can be hard, emotionally tolling, and exhausting. Nevertheless, you have put us in people’s lives, and them in our lives for a reason. Help us to reach out to those hurting and to ask for help if we are in need. You didn’t create us to be alone or to be isolated. Even your son Jesus had 12 friends/disciples. Please work in us and show us the need that is in us, or around us. Thank you for being with us, and helping us through all of our hurt and pain. We’ve all had them. Thank you for your healing power and for those willing to extend a hand, send a text, or make considerate gesture. Thank you most of all for your Holy Spirit, our Comforter. I pray that you will be with those battling depression, suicide thoughts, stress, illness, or anything else requiring your love. Help them to overcome. We need you Lord and ask for you to intervene right now. Thank you for your love, mercy, grace, kindness, forgiveness, and patience. All Praise, Glory, and Honor belongs to You.
In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
