This is why I usually simply give ((((hugs))) when a hurting heart is expressing itself for the first time. IF I am given a word of encouragement, of course I give that too.... This is a valuable lesson from a FB Friend: Lets reconsider giving pat answers. When someone bears their heart to you, coming to you broken, giving them the there, there responses because you dont know what TO say can sometimes make them feel like you are minimizing their feelings. Better to shut up, listen, TRY to understand what they are feeling & going through & then pray for them. Even worse when a person isnt allowed to voice their feelings of being down when you have people saying, Dont speak that negative stuff! or, Dont speak that over yourself! Do you realize thats like a slap in the face? God didnt tell King David to zip it when he poured out his woe---or Jeremiah, for that matter. Or countless others. How dare we make believers fear being vulnerable! No. We would much rather they put on a happy clappy mask & fake it til they make it---or fake it until they just cant take it anymore & have a breakdown. No wonder most of us keep our hearts to ourselves.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 01:39:55 +0000