It’s in our
nature to turn to those close to us for compassion in tough times. Everyone
wants a shoulder to cry on--or at least a listening ear. We especially expect
those we live with to be sympathetic. Nevertheless, this ideal condition is not
always achieved.
What can Block Complete Empathy?
Many situations
can prevent a true, empathetic connection. The first is that everyone doesn’t
think like us. The second is that even close friends and family often have
their own concerns with their health, finances, career, families, and so forth.
This may include landmark life changes of a positive or negative nature.
We Don’t all Think Alike.
We’re all fallible
humans. We all have different crosses to bear. Sometimes, we can barely get
beyond our own struggles. If other
people don’t have our same training, experience, or mindset, they might not
have the capability to relate to us. We see examples of this daily:
- People who have not lost a child, or loved one, may not have any idea how to help someone overcome a recent loss.
- Plain-spoken, resilient individuals cannot comprehend why more sensitive souls are offended by certain words and behavior.
- Consistently healthy people may have no clue how limited others truly are by their medical concerns.
- Quick-tempered individuals, and those with a slow-burning temper, might struggle to understand each other.
Really, the
list could go on forever. The possible divisions seem to be endless. Let’s just
say that we all have differences in the following:
- Personality quirks
- Medical limitations
- Physical aptitude
- Mental strength
- Levels of motivation
- Life experience
America: Facts vs. Fiction
In a recent
episode of this historical series, the Mexican outlaw, Pancho Villa, was featured.
Now, Villa saw himself as a modern-day Robinhood, as did some of his followers.
This is the image he worked hard to portray to the media. In 1914, American
director, D.W. Griffiths, and a colleague, made a straight-up propaganda movie
of the man. We don’t have the full, complete movie today. In the portion of it
we do have, Villa is portrayed as a shining example of fighting on the side of
right, against the odds.
Okay. Really?
I got so angry watching this show. My ancestors lived in Northern Mexico at the
time. They suffered any number of atrocities at the hand of Villa and his men.
I guarantee they wouldn’t agree with the contemporary media spin. To them, he
was not a Robinhood who should be glorified; he was a villain. My ancestors had a close up and personal perspective, which the Hollywood
people, living hours north of them, didn’t. Different experiences bring about different
viewpoints.
Who Can Relate to Us and Console Us?
“At my lowest; God is my hope.
At my darkest; God is my light.
At my weakest; God is my strength.
At my saddest; God is my comforter.”—Anonymous
quote on Google
What does The Bible Say?
“And the Lord, He is
the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor
forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”—Deuteronomy 31:8 (NKJV)
************
“When I am in
distress, I call to you, because you answer me.”—Psalm 86:7 (NIV)
In the End, Who Should we Trust?
Not once does the Bible say, “Worry
about it,” “Stress over it,” or “Figure it out.” But over and over it clearly
says, “Trust God.”—Anonymous quote on Google
My Conclusion
For one
reason or another, some people may not always able to relate to us and nurture
us. Yet, God is always there for us. He
is the Creator. He is not limited by any earthly concerns or natural laws. He
is able to bring us through whatever we might be experiencing.
Related Posts
Do you trust God to help you?
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