2020-11-10
Hebrews 4:15 NIVUK
When someone comes to us for comfort, or even asking for advice, our reaction is usually to try and find solutions to their problem, but they often just need our presence, a listening ear, and a willingness to share in their sorrow. If our response sounds like a quick fix to them, they might think that we don’t really have time for them. One of the most beautiful things ever said about Jesus in the Bible is: ‘For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.’ Sometimes what a person wants most from us is just to know that we understand what they’re going through, and that we care. So here’s how we can help:
1) Listen with an open heart, rather than trying to talk away their problem.
2) If they’re crying, share their tears. If they’re silent, share their silence.
3) Let them know you’re available, ready to help, and that you’ll always have time for them.
4) Remind them that humans can only do so much, but God can do the impossible.
5) If they’ll let you, pray for them and with them.
In one of the Native American languages, the word ‘friend’ is translated as ‘one who carries my sorrows on his or her back’. It’s a lovely definition that illustrates how we can support our friends by empathising with them, and also how God supports us through troubles. Psalm 55:2 says: ‘Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you’ (NLT). By listening, caring, and praying for our friends, we help lift their worries off their shoulders and place them on God’s.
1 Chr 7:20-9:44; John 9:24-41; Ps 99; Prov 25:26-28
Hebrews 4:15 NIV
Although the Native Americans had no formal written alphabet before they met Europeans, their language was anything but primitive. The vocabulary of many native languages was as large as that of their French and English conquerors, and often their expressions were far more eloquent. In one tongue, for example, the concept of the word friend is beautifully stated as “one who carries my sorrows on his or her back.” What a great definition!
When someone comes to you for solace, or even claiming to seek advice, very often they want nothing more than your presence, a listening ear, and a willingness to share in their sorrow. And when your answer sounds like a “quick fix,” they sometimes conclude that you have no time for them. One of the most beautiful things ever said about Jesus in the Bible is that He is able “to empathize with our weaknesses.” Sometimes what a person wants most from you is simply to know that you understand what they’re going through, and that you care.
So here’s how you can help:
(1) Listen with an open heart, instead of trying to talk away their problem.
(2) If they’re crying, share their tears. If they’re silent, share their silence.
(3) Let them know you’re available, ready to help, and that you will always have time for them.
(4) Remind them that human beings can only do so much, but God can do the impossible.
(5) If they will allow you to, pray for them and with them. That way, you help lift the burden off their shoulders and place it on God’s (See Psalm 55:22).
Soul food: 1 Chr 7:20-9:44; John 9:24-41; Ps 99; Prov 25:26-28
Hebreërs 4:15 NLV
Alhoewel die inheemse Indiane in Amerika nie ‘n formele geskrewe alfabet gehad het voor hulle die Europeërs ontmoet het nie, was hulle taal alles behalwe primitief. Die woordeskat van baie inheemse tale was net so groot soos hulle Franse en Engelse oorwinnaars s’n en hulle uitdrukkings was dikwels baie meer welsprekend. In een taal, word die konsep van die woord ‘vriend’ byvoorbeeld gestel as ‘die een wat my sorge op sy of haar rug dra.’
Wat ‘n wonderlike definisie! Wanneer iemand na jou toe kom vir troos of raad, wil hulle dikwels net iemand hê wat gewillig is om te luister en met wie hulle hul sorge kan deel. Wanneer jou antwoord oppervlakkig is, neem hulle soms aan dat jy nie tyd vir hulle het nie. Een van die mooiste dinge wat in die Bybel van Jesus gesê is, is dat Hy ‘ten volle met ons in ons swakhede [kan] saamvoel.’ Partykeer wil ‘n vriend net weet dat jy verstaan waardeur hulle gaan en dat jy omgee. Hier is hoe jy kan help:
1) Luister met ‘n oop hart, eerder as om hulle probleem te probeer wegpraat.
2) As hulle huil, deel hulle trane. As hulle stil is, deel hulle stilte.
3) Laat hulle weet dat jy beskikbaar is, gereed is om te help en dat jy altyd vir hulle sal tyd hê.
4) Herinner hulle dat mense net soveel self kan doen, maar dat God die onmoontlike kan doen.
5) As hulle jou toelaat, bid vir hulle en saam met hulle. So kan jy help om die las van hulle skouers af te haal en dit op God se skouers te sit (sien Psalm 55:23).
Sielskos: 1 Kro 7:20-9:44; Joh 9:24-41; Ps 99; Spr 25:26-28
2020-11-09
Lukas 6:35 NLV
In sy boek, Beneath the Cross of Jesus, vertel A. Leonard Griffith die verhaal van ‘n jong Koreaanse uitruilstudent wat ‘n leier in die Christelike kringe by die Universiteit van Pennsylvania was. Hy het sy woonstel die aand van 25 April, 1958 verlaat om ‘n brief aan sy ouers te pos. Toe hy by die posbus omdraai, het elf tienerseuns met leerbaadjies hom ingewag. Sonder om ‘n woord te sê het hulle hom met ‘n domkrag, pyp en hulle stewels en vuiste begin aanrand en hom vir dood op die sypaadjie agtergelaat. Die gemeenskap in Philadelphia het wraak geëis en die distriksaanklaer het op televisie aangekondig dat hy die doodstraf in die saak sou vra.
Toe het die volgende brief, wat deur die seun se ouers en twintig ander familielede in Korea onderteken is, gearriveer: ‘Ons familie het bymekaar gekom en besluit om hierdie petisie op te stel sodat diegene wat hierdie misdaad gepleeg het, die vrygewigste behandeling moontlik binne die wette van julle regering kry. Om bewys van ons opregte hoop wat in hierdie petisie vervat is te lewer, het ons begin geld spaar om ‘n fonds te skep vir die geestelike, opvoedkundige, professionele en sosiale leiding vir hierdie seuns wanneer hulle vrygelaat word. Ons hoop dit met die gees wat ons van die evangelie van ons Redder, Jesus Christus, wat vir ons sondes gesterf het, ontvang het.’
Hierdie verhaal neem vergifnis na die volgende vlak toe! Dit leer ons ook dat wanneer jy vergewe, jy die sitplek van die slagoffer prysgee en die sitplek van die oorwinnaar inneem. Dis wat Jesus ook vir jou vandag in gedagte het!
Sielskos: 1 Kro 6:1-7:19; Joh 9:13-23; Ps 115; Spr 25:23-25
Luke 6:35 NLT
In his book Beneath the Cross of Jesus, A. Leonard Griffith tells the story of a young Korean exchange student who was a leader in Christian circles at the University of Pennsylvania. He left his apartment on the evening of April 25, 1958, to mail a letter to his parents. As he turned from the mailbox, he was met by eleven leather-jacketed teenage boys. Without a word, they beat him with a blackjack, a lead pipe, their boots and fists – and left him lying dead in the gutter. The population of Philadelphia cried out for vengeance, and the district attorney announced on television that he was going to seek the death penalty.
Then the following letter arrived, signed by the boy’s parents and twenty other relatives in Korea: “Our family has met together and we have decided to petition that the most generous treatment possible within the laws of your government be given to those who have committed this criminal action…In order to give evidence of our sincere hope contained in this petition, we have decided to save money to start a fund to be used for the religious, educational, vocational, and social guidance of the boys when they are released…We have dared to express our hope with a spirit received from the gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ who died for our sins.”
This story takes forgiveness to a whole new level, doesn’t it? It also teaches that when you forgive, you relinquish the seat of the victim and sit in the seat of the victor. And that’s what Jesus has in mind for you today!
Soul food: 1 Chr 6:1-7:19; John 9:13-23; Ps 115; Prov 25:23-25
