Listen to people and their stories: Long term illness, divorce, financial devastation, cancer, job loss, loss of homes, death. It’s overwhelming to our emotions.
Today I came to the realization that this is where I am at.
When overwhelmed I withdraw. I withdraw from seeing people and speaking to them on the phone. If I keep myself from being around people I won’t hear their story and it won’t be added to the overwhelming weight I already feel.
Why do I feel the weight of other’s problems? Because God has put a love in my heart for people. When they hurt, I hurt. I want to remove that hurt and I can’t, I wasn’t made to, that is God’s job. But that doesn’t stop the ache in my heart.
I feel helpless when all I can offer are a few words; however, I may be overlooking a very powerful tool. Maybe at the moment I am in their presence a few words, given by the Holy Spirit through me, is all they need to get through another burdensome day. So if I am withdrawing from contact with people am I adding to their burden? Maybe, if God intended to use me in their life that day.
Does this possibility cause me to desire to run out and find people? No. I want to protect my heart. It’s selfish I know. Forgive me for this but at times my heart feels like it is hemorrhaging. I could blame God for this pain, He made me this way but He knew what He was doing when He gave me a soft heart.
Psalm 33:12-15 The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.
For all my family, friends, and those I have never met, who are going through sorrows my heart cries for you. I desire you to be at the end of your trial, I long for you to have the victory that you are battling for, I cry out for you to have wholeness.
1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
Only “for a Little While.”
Photo: MorgueFile
6 comments:
We do literally share each other's burdens. And we, your friends, love you and lift you up when you're overwhelmed and burdened - but we can do it more effectively when we hear YOUR stories.
You're absolutely right, though. There are a lot of heart-wrenching stories being told, so many of our friends and loved ones are hurting. And it can weigh us down when we carry those burdens with or for our friends, especially when added to our own.
Thus: Cast your burdens on Him - for He care FOR you.
And don't forget that when you've got your bouquet of flowers that represent pains and grief - God says that you can give that bouquet to Him......
I'm sorry you're feeling this way. I can relate. I am very empathetic and often other people's pain feels as if it's my own.
It is difficult, but I think that God has given us a gift. It does not come naturally to everyone to "weep with those who weep."
He uses us in that suffering to help them carry their loads. I truly believe that. It's part of how He loves through us.
Thank you.
Diane, I think you also need some people who you can talk to about your burdens. I do this , too, this retreating, when my own pain gets too much, I check out for a while. I don't think it's a bad thing. It's a way for you to care for yourself. If you don't take care of yourself, you can't help other people because you'll burn out. So by all means, take care of yourself, and remember that there are others out there that can here YOUR pain. :D
Thank you to all of you for your concern.
Kay - your scriptural comment, "weep with those who weep" says it so well.
I am doing better and determined to get out and allow God to have a submitted vessel once again.
Thank you Diane-Sometimes I feel the same way and do the same thing. :)
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