"don't be down!"

"Don't be down!" seems to be the words of some to some of us who are down. I'm not talking at all about people like Nancy, who remind us to abide in Christ and in his love. But I'm talking about those who like Job's friends are long on answers and quote Scripture left and right, yet somehow don't speak the Lord's word appropriate and needed for the time. And on top of that judge one for being down. Again I'm not talking about a discerning, loving, helpful voice, which may say some things that are hard and unpleasant to hear. No. I'm talking about the voice which cuts down with the attitude, "Get over it!' And who has it all together themselves, though really, of course, they don't.

Well, of course, I speak here from firsthand experience. I know the kind of stoning Christians can give others who are down and out. They'll put them out of their misery, readily, because they're not on board with the program.

I will say that going through depths helps me empathize with others. Some are in depths of bitterness which spews out everywhere, and if one is not careful, can burn one's own soul as well. I feel for such, while not wanting to be dragged down with them. Many of us have coping mechanisms or ways we're neither facing the Lord or our real selves. I think this is all around us, and manifest in so many ways. It is good to find the person who is transparent in a simple walk of faith in God expressed in love for God and for others. Rare though, I'm afraid.

What would you like to add to hopefully, this gentle rant?

sons and daughters of encouragement

It is wonderful to be around people who are encouraging. The atmosphere is different than your normal spaces of life in which, too often, cynicism seems to win the day. And it takes everyone in this mix to add their bits of encouragement. Some are especially gifted in this way and we need people like that.

The bottom line in all of this is love. Do we love one another enough to think well of each other? This can be hard when the one we're thinking about does not think well of others, themselves. The ones Jesus came down hard on in his day were those who were hard on others, always thinking they were better.

Some think it's less manly to bend over backwards to show love to others and not offend them unnecessarily. And to think otherwise is evidence that one is thin-skinned.

I'm not at all impressed with that kind of thinking, because even in sharing the truth, we're to do so in love, knowing that we're as prone to error and sin, in ourselves, as anyone else. Those who think they have it all together are the ones who need the most help. And it can be difficult to reach them since they think they're better, at least it seems that way as you hear them put others down in subtle and not so subtle ways. They are to be pitied, and maybe there's not much more we can do for them than to pray, which in itself is the greatest thing we can do for others, anyhow, and can lead to us helping them in deed and word. Not that we all haven't been there at times, because I'm afraid I have, even if mostly in reaction to such people.

But it's wonderful to be a part of a group in which encouraging and helping each other is at the forefront of all that is being done. We need more of that, and we need to be thankful for our brothers and sisters who are especially gifted there, and often in positions of leadership which help facilitate that among the people they are serving.

What thoughts might you like to share on this?