Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 3, 2014
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” John 11:33-36
Jesus felt; He felt deeply. He felt the intense sorrow of Mary and Martha losing their brother. He felt gratitude for friends and family who came alongside to support them in their grief. His spirit was moved and troubled by the trouble those He loved were experiencing. Yes indeed, our Lord wept with those who wept, and rejoiced with those who rejoiced. He was much more than the pale, emotionless European portraits of the renaissance. Love feels deeply human needs.
Love takes the time to be with those who hurt and mourn over loss. Love in action is emotion expressed. Friendship is a communication of affection. We are strong for the weak, when we weep with the weak. Non-emotional responses to a hurting heart only prolong the healing. Thus, we pray by the Holy Spirit to enter into emotional access with our troubled friends and family. We love by being available and use words only when necessary. Love emotionally connects.
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it” (Luke 19:41).
What human condition deserves our empathy? Have we so insulated ourselves from pain that we are numb to those who silently suffer? Indeed, we are called by Christ to be intentional to comfort the comfortless. Others who grieve and wail from within need our supportive, tender compassion. So, almost stealth like: we cook a meal, sit by the bedside holding a clammy hand, cradle a crying baby in our arms, or hug a sobbing soul. Our love feels what those we love feel.
Are your emotions whole, so you are able to wholly love another soul? If not, invite the sweet salve of Jesus’ comfort to free you to feel again. Under the Spirit’s control, freely express what you feel: anger, fear, insecurity, disappointment, grief or frustration. Feelings processed properly in prayer become helpful prescriptions for others stuck in sorrow. Learn the skills of emotional conversation, so you can help others locked up by unresolved pain. An expressive heart loves Jesus with its heart, so prayerfully speak what you feel and feel what you speak. Jesus does.
“At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth’” (Luke 10:21).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the compassion and joy of Jesus, help me express my emotions in a healthy way.
Related Readings: Job 16:5; Psalm 100:2; Isaiah 63:9; Luke 6:23; Hebrews 12:2; Jude 1:24
Post/Tweet today: Feelings processed properly in prayer become helpful prescriptions for others stuck in sorrow. #wisdomhunters
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© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
