COMPARATIVE SUFFERING
Good Morning! Today is looking good, sunshine and warm weather. I am very encouraged. Felt so much better yesterday and feel good this morning. Hopefully trending up, less headaches and more energy.
So, I am now the grandfather of two! Michael and Kimberly had Liam this week and we are so excited to meet him and hold him. Kimberly ended up having an emergency c-section which stinks but she and Liam are doing well and hopefully will be going home the next day or so. Hoping to get to go see them this weekend.
A thought or two around suffering. Yesterday was a wonderful day. I started the day having coffee with a dear friend, got a haircut from my barber I always enjoy visiting with and then another very close friend called while I was walking and he and I had a wonderful conversation. In all three conversations I was reminded of something that is a big deal and idea for me.
My first friend that I had coffee with lost his wife over a year ago to cancer. I actually officiated her funeral. They are an incredible family that I have know for almost 20 years. My barbers house got destroyed during the cold spell and they are not able to live in their house right now. My close friend I talked to on the phone went through some very concerning health stuff several years ago. The time with each of these men reminded me, “EVERYONE” goes thorough very difficult, challenging, painful and scary things in this life.
Here was my big take away. “Do Not Compare Your Suffering To Someone Else!” Suffering is suffering, pain is pain and to try and compare mine to someone else’s is pointless.
These men I spent time with yesterday are men I respect and care about. I am so grateful that they have shared some of there struggles and pain with me. I wanted to listen, support and encourage them, knowing I couldn’t fix it or change some of what they were dealing with.
Because over the years they have shared some of their suffering with me it has made it much more comfortable for me to share my pain and struggles with them. It also reminds me there is no way to compare our pain. Pain is pain, struggle are struggles. I simple want to respect that in others and appreciate it when people respect and support me as I navigate my pain and suffering today.
I connect with this idea in Psalms 68:19. “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” I don’t believe God compares our suffering. He is aware of it and I believe, genuinely wants to carry our burdens.
Jesus modeled this beautifully. He was so compassionate with people who were suffering and also was very transparent about his own suffering.
No reason what so ever to compare suffering. Let’s be sensitive and aware of the suffering that is going on all around us. And, be honest and aware of your own suffering. Find safe caring people that you can be honest with, who will listen, encourage and walk with you.
I wish I didn’t need that so much right now, but I do. I am so grateful that I have so many people who are encouraging and walking with me. It matters, you matter!
You matter because you are, loved and of great value!!!!
Peace,