I was bowled over by the responses to yesterday’s post.
To be honest, I really didn’t plan what I was going to write about, I just simply shared what had happened to me the day before.
The reaction I got from people was an almost overwhelming sense of understanding, connection and gratitude.
What was it that generated such a response? Simply this:
I shared the reality of my feelings and emotions, I said things that most people normally keep private and I testified to what God had been teaching me about them.
I really wasn’t expecting much of a response at all. I was just sharing my feelings of frustration and depression and the little bit of light that God had shown me that day. What good would that do anyone else? No-one else feels the way I do… right?
WRONG!
We all too often succumb to the lie that, whatever it is we’re going through, we’re going through it alone. We know God is there with us but somehow come to believe that no-one else could understand. We allow ourselves to become convinced that nobody else feels the same way or knows what it’s like to be that way but it’s not true – and you’ll never know until you share.
What I discovered yesterday was that there are many people who feel the same way I do, struggle with the same things I struggle with and feel the same pain I feel. What’s more, I learned that I don’t have to have all the answers to be able to encourage and strengthen someone else who feels the way I feel.
They say a problem shared is a problem halved but there’s more too it than that. A problem shared may be a problem halved for me but it can also be a problem halved for other people too. You see, simply by me sharing, it opened the floodgates for others to share and we all took a step forward together.
This is why small groups are such an essential part of Church. There is something incredibly powerful about simply having a place to share with others what you’re going through – good or bad. If you’re not part of a small group/cell group/home fellowship/life group/whatever you call it, I would strongly encourage you to join one as soon as possible.
I try to encourage people to ‘be the Church’. Don’t just DO church, BE it. Be family, be friends. Uplift, encourage and exhort one another. An easy way to do that is to share your walk with someone else. Share your highs and your lows, the big things and the small ones, the praise reports and the prayer requests. There’s not much that’s quite as amazing as knowing you are not alone, that other people who maybe seem like they’ve ‘got it all together’ face the same struggles as you. You don’t have to have all the answers, just sharing your life with someone can make all the difference in the world.
I am so glad that I shared my feelings with you all yesterday. I didn’t know what would come of it, but then, you never know until you share!
Related posts: The Power of Testimony
I hear you! Why do we always believe the lies? I don’t get that about myself, I really don’t. But bringing the darkness into the light is an effective way to combat the lies.
I’m glad you shared what hurts you so we could all do the same. And I’m glad it was a way for us to encourage each other as we realized we aren’t alone in what hurts us.
I was stranded on a deserted, internet-less island yesterday, but I just read your previous post and this one. Reminds me of the time Elijah bemoaned his Lone Ranger status, and God said, “I have 7000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” We are a body, members of one another. I don’t think it’s organically possible for any of us to suffer alone. My hand may not know I sprained my ankle, but it will notice that the whole body is moving more slowly than before and will certainly feel the consequences.
What a weak and disjointed bride Christ has chosen! And how amazing that the Father sets His love on us and rests in knowing that one day He will present us spotless to His Son. Though I do believe there are certain advantages (checks and balances?) to many of the diversities in the church, when we cease to engage in healthy dialog and start tearing each other down, we become self-mutilating. Thanks for reminding me to be real and to let others do the same. May God grant us all grace to love each other well.
Thanks Jeanne.
Here, here Peter.
Don’t believe the lie that Englishmen are weenies. Marni just doesn’t understand.
Yes, Peter! Thanks for sharing. It encourages everyone to do so in return 😉 Expose the truth and darkness shall flee. Have a great day!
You are right about not needing to have all the answers to encourage someone. Sometimes that is actually more discouraging. I think it helps to have someone say “Been there. That sucks…”.
I have corresponded with Marni, and it seems that we are in agreement that Englishmen are not weenies…Men who would look good in drag are. So you are definitely no weenie…
Amen and Amen! Thanks for your honesty Peter. Your sharing definitely encourages me! Thanks for being the church!
Just keep sharing your heart Peter….you’ve now seen what happens after that!
I will… trust me on that!
I always enjoy when people share what is fresh on their heart / mind……way to go Peter! Sometimes I wish we had church the other six days of the week and maybe not in the same building, LOL. Might make us realize more often that it’s not just a Sunday thing.
Oh, now you’re speaking MY language, Gabe!
Wouldn’t it be revolutionary if church was something that happened for more than just two hours a week!?!
But if I believe I’ve succeeded at “being the church” to someone, how could I possibly have been humble enough to do so?
🙂 … and how can you ever be humble when believing you’ve achieved humility is an act of pride itself? 😉
I didn’t ask you to succeed at being the Church, I asked you to go out and do it! Whether you believe you are successful at it or not is between you and God 🙂