Untitled Document

Scriptural Reference:
Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Proverbs Chapter 6:16-19 These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Mark 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

Prayer:

How sad it is that as Christians we can become thick skinned. Saying trite phrases and catchy words that sound cleaver enough. And for the Worldly seem to hold some reasonable level of empathy and compassion. Yet on closer examination; these words are as empty as the person blindly saying them. That is why the slight of the tongue can wound deeper than any physical wound. It can also add to this pain by being empty of the real love that Christ encouraged among Christians. Casual and uncaring words can cause wounds that can emotionally bleed internally for years. Unseen and unhealed.

One of the hardest and cruellest aspects of such wounds is the casual disregard people can have. As these are emotionally internal wounds, the victim is not seen as being "really" hurt. Instead they are perceived as being either "bitter & twisted" or just "drama addict". Intolerance and a lack of Godly Christian Empathy become the shallow approach to offering support. Usually propped up by a self centred or focused attitude. With such "clichés" as to belittle the victims pain by comparing it to others. No pain is truly "comparative" or can be a shared experience. But is wholly unique and isolated within the individual who is suffering.

Bad Agape? An easy example of this is to disregard another's emotional needs. To deem anyone who is hurt or seems to be holding on to pain as somehow deficient and lacking in true Christian Faith. Jesus never told people who were suffering to have a stiff upper lip. To soldier on and stop crying. In several cases when he performed a miracle he did encourage people to look to the miracle and not the mock emotions they were expressing. Such as when he raised the young girl from her deep sleep as he expressed. The mourners were paid entertainers. People who got employment showing deep yet only surface level symbolic grief for the loss of a loved one. Jesus shared in the grief of those he met and ministered to.

Good Agape? Perhaps this can be expressed with the Hebrew Phrase "Sitting Shiva". This is a very old concept. That is expressed in the book of Job. Where his friends sat quietly as Job spoke his mind. To truly be "Sitting Shiva" is to not interrupt the person grieving. Nor to ask questions or give advice unasked for. But to sit quietly and listen to the grief in a non judgmental way. Something that not even Job's friends were able to do. As we know they then turned to blame Job for everything he suffered. Much the same as people do in today's society.

To truly "Sitting Shiva" is to allow the whole range of emotions to flood out of the persons heart and soul. Letting them express what is on their heart. And in time if they are ready they may ask for advice. Or they may not. This form of empathetic compassion is not to prove how well trained or intelligent the counsellor is. But to show and allow the grieving person to slowly work through their pain.

I know that to this very day I still carry scars that surface emotionally from time to time. As an example, when it comes to annual events such as Christmas; I find myself lost in questions and doubts. As the very event took on an empty meaning when my Brother passed away. And my Mother decided we would never celebrate Christmas again. As if to say that I was not good enough to to even justify the very idea of Christmas. So here is the pain. Here is the nagging feeling of lack of love. And the comments from those who say they mean well? Surely someone might feel my pain?

Wrong. Like so many others who feel similar pain as I. The short reply is to move on. Just forget the past and get over it. That clinging to pain is just not productive. Yes, more trite one liners. That have no real empathy and compassion. More empty emotionless prefabricated Godless words to amuse the Worldly and make the injured and wounded feel even more isolated.

We need to return to the Bible. Return to searching the words of wisdom that explain what Christ means by compassion. Rediscover the ancient and beautiful art of "Sitting Shiva".

Prayer

Lord I am truly sorry for,
For the times I pretend to be busy and distracted,
For the times I brush of another's pain and suffering,
For the times I confuse Clichés with Compassion.

Please teach my heart to learn,
The wisdom of Sitting Shiva with wounded souls,
The patience to listen without judging,
The mind filled with the Holy Spirits of love.

I seek this in your precious name,
My Lord and my Saviour.
Jesus Christ.

Amen

Wounds
HOME SCRIPTURE POETRY	Scriptural Reference: Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Proverbs Chapter 6:16-19 These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Mark 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. Prayer: How sad it is that as Christians we can become thick skinned. Saying trite phrases and catchy words that sound cleaver enough. And for the Worldly seem to hold some reasonable level of empathy and compassion. Yet on closer examination; these words are as empty as the person blindly saying them. That is why the slight of the tongue can wound deeper than any physical wound. It can also add to this pain by being empty of the real love that Christ encouraged among Christians. Casual and uncaring words can cause wounds that can emotionally bleed internally for years. Unseen and unhealed. One of the hardest and cruellest aspects of such wounds is the casual disregard people can have. As these are emotionally internal wounds, the victim is not seen as being "really" hurt. Instead they are perceived as being either "bitter & twisted" or just "drama addict". Intolerance and a lack of Godly Christian Empathy become the shallow approach to offering support. Usually propped up by a self centred or focused attitude. With such "clichés" as to belittle the victims pain by comparing it to others. No pain is truly "comparative" or can be a shared experience. But is wholly unique and isolated within the individual who is suffering. Bad Agape? An easy example of this is to disregard another's emotional needs. To deem anyone who is hurt or seems to be holding on to pain as somehow deficient and lacking in true Christian Faith. Jesus never told people who were suffering to have a stiff upper lip. To soldier on and stop crying. In several cases when he performed a miracle he did encourage people to look to the miracle and not the mock emotions they were expressing. Such as when he raised the young girl from her deep sleep as he expressed. The mourners were paid entertainers. People who got employment showing deep yet only surface level symbolic grief for the loss of a loved one. Jesus shared in the grief of those he met and ministered to. Good Agape? Perhaps this can be expressed with the Hebrew Phrase "Sitting Shiva". This is a very old concept. That is expressed in the book of Job. Where his friends sat quietly as Job spoke his mind. To truly be "Sitting Shiva" is to not interrupt the person grieving. Nor to ask questions or give advice unasked for. But to sit quietly and listen to the grief in a non judgmental way. Something that not even Job's friends were able to do. As we know they then turned to blame Job for everything he suffered. Much the same as people do in today's society. To truly "Sitting Shiva" is to allow the whole range of emotions to flood out of the persons heart and soul. Letting them express what is on their heart. And in time if they are ready they may ask for advice. Or they may not. This form of empathetic compassion is not to prove how well trained or intelligent the counsellor is. But to show and allow the grieving person to slowly work through their pain. I know that to this very day I still carry scars that surface emotionally from time to time. As an example, when it comes to annual events such as Christmas; I find myself lost in questions and doubts. As the very event took on an empty meaning when my Brother passed away. And my Mother decided we would never celebrate Christmas again. As if to say that I was not good enough to to even justify the very idea of Christmas. So here is the pain. Here is the nagging feeling of lack of love. And the comments from those who say they mean well? Surely someone might feel my pain? Wrong. Like so many others who feel similar pain as I. The short reply is to move on. Just forget the past and get over it. That clinging to pain is just not productive. Yes, more trite one liners. That have no real empathy and compassion. More empty emotionless prefabricated Godless words to amuse the Worldly and make the injured and wounded feel even more isolated. We need to return to the Bible. Return to searching the words of wisdom that explain what Christ means by compassion. Rediscover the ancient and beautiful art of "Sitting Shiva". Prayer Lord I am truly sorry for, For the times I pretend to be busy and distracted, For the times I brush of another's pain and suffering, For the times I confuse Clichés with Compassion. Please teach my heart to learn, The wisdom of Sitting Shiva with wounded souls, The patience to listen without judging, The mind filled with the Holy Spirits of love. I seek this in your precious name, My Lord and my Saviour. Jesus Christ. Amen

Wounds