Meeting People Where They Are
The hospice instructor wrote the words, "Fix it" on the board and proceeded to declare, "You can't do it."
You can't fix it. So then, what can you do?
You can be there and experience with some hurting soul, the ministry of presence, understanding, and silence. You can weep with those who weep. That is part of what the church does. When the church functions with its ministry of tears, the world takes notice.
Likewise, you can also rejoice with those who rejoice - and this is sometimes more difficult because it requires a relinquishment of pride, jealousy, and envy. Rather than being the star on the field, one becomes the cheering section. The covetous soul cannot rejoice in the success of one with whom he is competing, but the Christian can consider blessings that come to a brother or sister with great cause for joy.
It requires that we "Be of one mind one toward another," (Romans 12:16a)
There are areas where we must agree as believers in Jesus Christ. One of them is an agreement for God's best in one another's lives - so much so that we agree about the pain when one is suffering and about the joy when one is rejoicing.
It further requires that we "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits." (Romans 12:16b)
We are never so far above a brother or sister in Christ that we cannot sit with them where they are, in joy or sorrow. That is our witness in the world. That is our great honor. That is family. Here at Strokeboard.net we are a family support group second to none.
As members, look how often we ask for prayers, best wishes, and give our condolences in times of sorrow. This writing was part of the pastors sermon that hit so close to home here at strokenetworld until I wanted to share since I welcome so many new members looking for family support at a time when there is no one to talk to about a stroke and recovery.
They have not the understanding that life is not over, life is living, the light gets rid of darkness as we understand it when God said "Let there be light" and so it was. It's not our will, it's Gods will, we just need to trust in him to see the light.
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