Hey friend, I wanted to give these flowers to someone today that has ever felt shame for pain they feel in their life. _____ I think I know why so many people need therapists. People so often don’t know how to deal with another’s pain, and instead make them feel even worse about their pain. _____ When I was a therapist I saw clients for so many different problems. The thing that I’m struck by, is that just because a persons situation looks different doesn’t make their pain less significant. Divorce, suicidal thoughts, an illness, a loved ones death, struggles with anorexia etc. All different situations, all different family upbringings, yet the pain still so real in their hearts. _____ Pain carried alone can be unbearable. Too scared to tell anyone for fear that they won’t understand, and make you feel worse about it. Feeling guilty about pain because someone else is ‘going through something worse’ doesn’t make your pain feel better, it just hides the pain under shame. _____ Comparison/judgement in any way isn’t right and doesn’t help anyone. Comparing people’s pain isn’t right either. We have no idea what demons people are battling inside. We can’t know the mind and heart of a person. Just because someone’s life looks good from the outside, doesn’t mean they can’t be going through something on this inside. _____ Having a grateful heart in all circumstances is so important. Acknowledging pain isn’t being ungrateful, but being honest about the place your in. _____ I love Jesus and his interactions with people he meets. He’s such a perfect example of having compassion on so many different kinds of people, with different family upbringings, in different painful situations. He sees them. He empathizes with each of them. And he takes away their pain. _____ Here are flowers for you friends that are facing pain today, or your pain in life has been stuffed down with shame. You aren’t alone. Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
