::Sigh::

Ever have those days that just kinda get you down? Days when you come face to face with the stuff that has other people down and it rubs off?

We're fine and today was actually a good day, but being aware of some things that others are dealing with is just weighing me down. It's almost a physical sensation of being pressed down by all the cares of people I really care about. Financial trouble. Marriage trouble. Kids struggling. Change. Conflict with others. Missing dogs. (That would be Beth Moore's dog, Sunny.)

As much as I don't like feeling like this, it is a gift. Because I want to know what's going on with the people around, to be able to pray for them, to be real with them. But it's hard. Yucky, really. Not feeling this way, but knowing that others are hurting. I wish I could make it all better, but can't.

One of those things that God has been speaking to me again and again in the past week or so is that it's okay not to have all the answers. That it's okay to just be quiet, to listen, to say "I'm sorry" without offering myriad solutions. That there doesn't have to be a pat answer for every situation.

That's hard for me. I really like answers.

A couple of weeks ago, I spent some time in 2 Corinthians 4. Despite anything and everything that's going on with me or those around me, "we do not lose heart" as it says in verse 16. Why? Because of the therefores given in verses 8 and 9:

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed.

I love how The Message puts verse 16: "Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace."

That makes me think of a flower blooming somehow. That though we look at it for a while--stare at it for hours even--and can't see any unfolding going on, we slowly get a peek of color peeping through when we search day after day after day. It can seem to take so long for a flower to bloom (trust me, I go outside on a flower search in my yard every day in the spring!). But when we look at with a time-lapse--when we look back on things from God's perspective, from his perfect timing--we see how smoothly and perfectly it happens.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (verse 18). Somehow, I need to know that today, to be reminded that this life is not all there is. That "eternal glory" awaits.

Comments

[Melissa @ Breath of Life]

Amen! Isn't it hard to bear others' burdens sometimes...especially when you can't really help?

I was just reading the story of Lazarus' death again yesterday, and was struck fresh with John telling us that Jesus loved that family. Still, they had to suffer so that God's glory could be revealed. And He wept at their pain, though He knew what the outcome would be. I'm counseling a friend in a bad marriage right now, and can't wait to share this with her. No matter the circumstances, He most assuredly loves us.

[Kay Friedenstein]

It really is OK to not have answers for hurts that friends have...we are NOT the ones to fix problems, but we are the arms loaded with loving hugs from God and we are the tear filled eyes that let our friends know that because we care, God cares even more deeply. We do have the ultimate answer and it is all wrapped up in the person of Jesus. Sometimes our good work that the Lord has given us to do is to cry, hug, and speak of Him and His amazing power to heal brokenness. Look up and expect great things...Psalm 123!

[Janna]

Oh, Joanne. These verses are such an encouragement to me this week! You have no idea! Thanks for sharing.

[Holly Smith]

Hear me, friend--you have a beautiful heart. You have good words and prayers and encouragement. You have a smile and friendship. I see you offering Jesus everywhere you turn. You are blooming. A bloomin' friend is Joanne (I do mean the funny English part, too :)!

I know this, because I am a first-hand recipient. Keep holding people close to your heart and letting your heart spill out. It't a lovely picture of Christ.

[Holly B.]

Thanks so much for sharing, mon amie! I needed to read this rightthisminute.

[Susan]

I knew your heart was burdened...you don't have to have all the answers. You do a wonderful job without having all the answers. You mean so much to me, Joanne. I LOVE that your heart is burdened and heavy-laden with the pain of others...it is what we are supposed to do. I can't tell you how your phone call lifted my heart.

Love u.
Susan

[missi]

Hi Joanne- Thanks for your uplifting words. They were needed today! Missi

[Barbie]

Amen! Thanks for the wonderful perspective.

[julie]

Thank you for your words... I can definitely relate to the feeling of being weighed down and troubled by the difficulties of others. Sometimes I feel I have been given a special grace to really feel for people... and yet there are days that I consider it a mixed blessing.

[teri]

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH!
It hurts my heart to see/know others are hurting. I am convinced there is a way to "bear one another's burdens" without letting it affect us! I just don't know what that is. I pray for them, yes, but then I have a hard time not carrying it!

Anyway, I can truly relate.

[janine]

Today I was telling a friend how much I worried about my 11 year old daughter who is in angst about not being popular. Then, after bible study a lovely 93 year old lady asked me to pray for her son who is suffering from MS, "one day he will die and he isn't a believer," she worriedly said. Her son is 71, We are never too old or too far removed from the sorrows of others. it is how our Creator made us.

[Jen Medeiros]

Thank you Joanne for the Bible verse. My grandfather is very sick and these words are comforting. I am going to share them with my grandma and I know they will uplift her spirit!