(04.28.21 – Encouragement! – Philemon 17-19)
My friend, may I ask you a question? When others are hurting why is our first and natural reaction to walk the other way; almost as if we sense that whatever it is that they have, we don't want it to touch us?
My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.
I'm M. Clifford Brunner.
When others are hurting it sometimes our first and natural reaction to walk the other way. It's almost as if we sense that whatever it is that they have, we don't want it to touch us. Then there are some who, upon seeing someone else hurting, identify all too clearly with the emotion. They feel it in their hearts and reflect upon a time when they too felt that way. The former are quick to move on. But thank God there are those who are drawn to the slumped shoulder of the wounded warrior. They see it as an opportunity to intervene and stop the hurt. They see it as a way of lifting someone up, even transferring some of that pain to themselves in order to keep the warrior standing. "Give me some of your hurt. I just can't bear to see you suffer alone."
There are many heroes in this life. Some bravely climb mountains or catch touchdown passes. But there is none braver than the one who is willing to take on the hurt of another and pump encouragement into them, offering hope in a hope- less situation. Here's a story: Edward Steichen, one of the world's most renowned photographers, almost gave up on the day he shot his first pictures. At 16, young Steichen bought a camera and took 50 photos. Only one turned out – a portrait of his sister at the piano. Edward's father thought it was a poor showing. But his mother insisted that the photograph of his sister was so beautiful that it more than compensated for 49 failures. Her encouragement convinced the youngster to stick with his new hobby. He stayed with it for the rest of his life, but it had been a close call. What tipped the scales; the vision of his Mom to spot excellence in the midst of a lot of failure. (Bits & Pieces, February 4, 1993, pp. 4-5.)
We can express our love for others in many ways. There is, perhaps, no greater and more meaningful way of showing we care than making sure that we are always on the lookout for the person with the slumped shoulders, the hanging head and the tear-streaked cheek. It may seem like an invasion; and at first there is a certain level of discomfort when we enter into the realm of despair.
But, once in, just our presence can do more for a sorrowful spirit than almost anything else. We run into people every day that need our gentle hand; people who simply long for that touch on the shoulder and that reassuring word. The Apostle Paul teaches us that substituting ourselves for their hurt is the way of the righteous. When we see others who have done wrong and slipped into hurt, this is nothing less than an opportunity for a Christian to enter in and open the path to healing and restoration. There is no finer task than grasping the shoulder of a brother or sister warrior in Christ who may be hurting today. Your single touch may be the one thing that turns a lot of darkness into a single hope.
We pray. Heavenly Father, we run into people every day that need our gentle hand; people who simply long for that touch on the shoulder and that reassuring word. You have told us that substituting ourselves for their hurt is the way of the righteous. Lord, when we see others who have done wrong and slipped into hurt, show us by Your Spirit that this is nothing less than an opportunity for us to enter in and open the path to their healing and restoration. Forgive us Father when we back away. There is no finer task than grasping the shoulder of a brother or sister warrior in Christ who may be hurting today. Help us to turn their darkness into a single ray of hope light. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.