It's OK not to be OK!

Think we can all say we have heard this statement; but do we actually believe or mean it, not just about others but about ourselves as well? Because life it seems is so hectic, noisy and stressful, we hardly find time for ourselves let alone listen to others, even if they are going through tough times and just need to tell someone, or stay silent in some cases and can lead to 'burn out' isolation, loneliness, anxiety, depression just by trying to keep our heads above water. We feel it 'weakness' to admit we are struggling, fearing we will be unheard, rejected or even ridiculed. Keeping things buried seems only to pile up things in our minds and thinking that we are left alone to try and figure out or just simply push through; to be strong, 'man up' 'tough it out' and many more similar supposed nuggets of advice. But, we are all different, unique, we think, feel and act differently, so one person will ever understand just how we feel; only those who go through those things can remotely understand and have empathy with us.

I know this from personal experience from all of the above. Now people who know me will probably be saying 'you're a christian, and you're strong' 'you always help others' well appearances can be deceptive.

First, yes I am a Christian but that doesn't: a) make me perfect b) immune to life's problems c) and yes I do help others because I care and it helps me not to be too hung up on myself. Now other Christians may say 'what about God, prayer, scripture? Well yes, all of those things are my foundations for living but as all Christians know, our life is a journey of faith and progressive change; every trial is an opportunity to grow. There are areas of every Christians life that can be destructive to ourselves and others as well as not God honouring. I believe that when we come to faith, the lives we live before with all our baggage doesn't always automatically disappear; yes we are forgiven past, present and future, but all our old habits, thoughts etc are there trying to pull us back. Guilt from the past where we can't forgive ourselves or others and foolishly think God can't forgive, but those are lies. God does forgive, so we CAN forgive others! I can hear some people say 'how when I have been so hurt and let down?' Of course, some situations may be horrendous, but the point of Christians forgiving is a) for our benefit, holding on to bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness is destructive to our heart, soul and mind; b) God has forgiven us of so much that we didn't deserve; c) God expects it.

As I said previously, a Christian is not immune to anything in life, whatever that may be; the difference is we have Christ as our helper, comforter, strength and teacher.

I have learned the hard way that too many Christians can be of a mind that someone struggling with these things 'need to have more faith, read the bible more, pray more' we go to church and pretend everything is fine when we all carry around all of these things that are left unsaid and untouched; leaving people feeling guilty, ashamed and doubting God loves them, that's how serious it is to not listen, love, help, support others. To just hug someone and say you are there for them, that they are loved can mean all the difference to that person. So please, if you see someone who seems in pain, distress, listen, love, help.

You know Jesus said 'if you give someone a cup of water, visit those in distress, when you did it to the least of these, YOU DID IT TO ME'; good enough reason surely.

There is a saying isn't there? 'Walk a mile in my shoes' isn't that something we can all say but think about others before we judge or ignore their needs.