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Proverbs 25:20
20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Yes, we've all either done this, or been tempted to do it.
We see someone in deep emotional agony due to loss, pain, grief or whatever.
We long to see them happy and full of joy.
So out comes the spiritual fix it kit.
What's in our kit?
Silver bullet, one size fits all, cure all cliches of course.
Don't get me wrong.
We have great intentions.
Unfortunately great intentions can be misapplied.
One misapplied great intention is when we tell someone with a heavy heart to simply cheer up.
The Bible says doing such is like taking someone's coat from them in cold weather.
In other words, it doesn't do them a lick of good.
So what are we to do?
Romans 8
22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
Before you gloss over those words, thinking you've fully ingested their meaning because you phonetically sounded them out properly in your head, slow down and mull over the imagery and emotions these words truly give us.
There is a level of human suffering that can only be compared to a woman in labor.
A woman in labor is in some serious pain.
You can't make her pain go away by tossing on some of your cliche get happy sauce.
In fact, attempting to do so may result in her strangling your neck.
So what am I getting at?
Sometimes the best way to help someone who is experiencing deep pain, similar to labor pains, is to simply be there.
Yes, simply be there.
Let them hold your hand.
Let them squeeze your hand.
Let them shout.
Let them weep.
Let them cry out.
Yet, simply be there.
Let them squeeze your hand.
And above all...
Don't take their coat.
Because it's cold out.
20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Yes, we've all either done this, or been tempted to do it.
We see someone in deep emotional agony due to loss, pain, grief or whatever.
We long to see them happy and full of joy.
So out comes the spiritual fix it kit.
What's in our kit?
Silver bullet, one size fits all, cure all cliches of course.
Don't get me wrong.
We have great intentions.
Unfortunately great intentions can be misapplied.
One misapplied great intention is when we tell someone with a heavy heart to simply cheer up.
The Bible says doing such is like taking someone's coat from them in cold weather.
In other words, it doesn't do them a lick of good.
So what are we to do?
Romans 8
22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
Before you gloss over those words, thinking you've fully ingested their meaning because you phonetically sounded them out properly in your head, slow down and mull over the imagery and emotions these words truly give us.
There is a level of human suffering that can only be compared to a woman in labor.
A woman in labor is in some serious pain.
You can't make her pain go away by tossing on some of your cliche get happy sauce.
In fact, attempting to do so may result in her strangling your neck.
So what am I getting at?
Sometimes the best way to help someone who is experiencing deep pain, similar to labor pains, is to simply be there.
Yes, simply be there.
Let them hold your hand.
Let them squeeze your hand.
Let them shout.
Let them weep.
Let them cry out.
Yet, simply be there.
Let them squeeze your hand.
And above all...
Don't take their coat.
Because it's cold out.
