“This too shall last”: healthy relationships in social circles are usually very small. If someone needs help, encouragement or support, there usually aren’t many people who can meaningfully step in during these circumstances. Avoiding the uncomfortable interactions with the sufferer equates to the one negative comment that takes ten to counterbalance. As we mature and age, our responsibilities with each other increase in weight and scope. Though we may not feel as equipped as we want to be, we are more equipped than anyone else in that moment and that journey to lend a hand.
1) The "Bestie please let me merge" tweet made me literally lol. Really appreciated that one. The curated tweets and tiktoks were perfect this week. I thoroughly enjoyed them. haha
2) I haven't watched the great british baking show episode yet, but after the sandwich cake situation from the last episode.... it is not really keeping me engaged. I will keep watching though. Also surprised you didn't have any HoD comments this week!!
3) About the book.... I've been thinking a lot lately about how people respond to others' suffering. I think a lot of times, the reaction to the other person's suffering comes from a place of "I don't want to feel this discomfort, so I will say what I need to to make it pass" rather than recognizing the actual emotions/experience of the person in front of them. It's a skill/gift to be able to truly sit in that discomfort with someone. It's hard!! I have a lot to say about this, but I will leave it there. That sounds like a great book! Thank you for sharing!
HOTD was so good this week! He can keep his tongue!!
I agree with your comment about our response to suffering. It’s almost a reflex to respond with something that defends us from having to experience someone else’s discomfort. It keeps ourself safe but of course does nothing for the person who is looking to us for compassion, support, and witness.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 to all you wrote! I’m going to have to read that book! But you are so right! We aren’t called to fix one another, we are called to mirror Christ. Which means standing in the gap for one another, allowing suffering to be present and felt. The church could really do better in this area.
Agreed! It starts with us as individuals trying to learn something that contradicts our reflexes to stay as far away as other peoples’ pain as possible
Yes! Agreed! Just imagine the way the church could reach far and beyond if they could view the ability to “stand in the gap” with others, as a spiritual gift. When I walked in on Wednesday night- I thought “I just need a minute for someone to pray over me. To cry and just sit with me in the weight of the week before I walk into class tonight”. What a change that would arise if we had that?!?! A place to just feel the weight of the week and people to “stand in the gap” and help us lay that as Jesus’ feet. They didn’t have to ask for it, it was just a service there waiting for them. Just people waiting to serve them in that way! I think it would start a movement! Or at least a shift!
“This too shall last”: healthy relationships in social circles are usually very small. If someone needs help, encouragement or support, there usually aren’t many people who can meaningfully step in during these circumstances. Avoiding the uncomfortable interactions with the sufferer equates to the one negative comment that takes ten to counterbalance. As we mature and age, our responsibilities with each other increase in weight and scope. Though we may not feel as equipped as we want to be, we are more equipped than anyone else in that moment and that journey to lend a hand.
Well said!
1) The "Bestie please let me merge" tweet made me literally lol. Really appreciated that one. The curated tweets and tiktoks were perfect this week. I thoroughly enjoyed them. haha
2) I haven't watched the great british baking show episode yet, but after the sandwich cake situation from the last episode.... it is not really keeping me engaged. I will keep watching though. Also surprised you didn't have any HoD comments this week!!
3) About the book.... I've been thinking a lot lately about how people respond to others' suffering. I think a lot of times, the reaction to the other person's suffering comes from a place of "I don't want to feel this discomfort, so I will say what I need to to make it pass" rather than recognizing the actual emotions/experience of the person in front of them. It's a skill/gift to be able to truly sit in that discomfort with someone. It's hard!! I have a lot to say about this, but I will leave it there. That sounds like a great book! Thank you for sharing!
HOTD was so good this week! He can keep his tongue!!
I agree with your comment about our response to suffering. It’s almost a reflex to respond with something that defends us from having to experience someone else’s discomfort. It keeps ourself safe but of course does nothing for the person who is looking to us for compassion, support, and witness.
So...how was the pickle ball? 😆
I’m a convert!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 to all you wrote! I’m going to have to read that book! But you are so right! We aren’t called to fix one another, we are called to mirror Christ. Which means standing in the gap for one another, allowing suffering to be present and felt. The church could really do better in this area.
Agreed! It starts with us as individuals trying to learn something that contradicts our reflexes to stay as far away as other peoples’ pain as possible
Yes! Agreed! Just imagine the way the church could reach far and beyond if they could view the ability to “stand in the gap” with others, as a spiritual gift. When I walked in on Wednesday night- I thought “I just need a minute for someone to pray over me. To cry and just sit with me in the weight of the week before I walk into class tonight”. What a change that would arise if we had that?!?! A place to just feel the weight of the week and people to “stand in the gap” and help us lay that as Jesus’ feet. They didn’t have to ask for it, it was just a service there waiting for them. Just people waiting to serve them in that way! I think it would start a movement! Or at least a shift!