"Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." (Proverbs 25:20)
Now some may be confused with this. "Shouldn't I be, "'one who sings songs to a heavy heart'"? Shouldn't I say, "Come on, brother, let's just praise the Lord, ask for "favor," believe Him for a miracle?" No! Not if those songs and all the cliches are not dealing with the real issues of that, "heavy heart."
I have noticed over the years of my life (not just in "ministry") that there are "spiritual" people who are quite "active" in church, ministries, etc., but who also have issues with which they have not dealt, and/or with which they do not deal. This is true not only of religious folk, but also non believers. A "hard worker" can just be a "hard" escaper." Many times it is the most "active," the "hardest workers," the "busiest" who are most attempting to run from heartache. Their energy in "work," and/or religious service is driven by an attempt to deal with some deep, perhaps even decades old problems, hurts, disappointments, grief. They may dance harder, shout louder, testify more frequently, go on more mission trips, but it is just an attempt to deal with that, "heavy heart." This is deeply heartbreaking.
A person who stands and prophesies over someone and appeals to their energetic "zeal for the Lord," but sees that there is something going on which is much deeper, is only a, "false prophet." It is nothing but prophecy for their own approval. I pray, with the help, grace, and empowerment of our Lord Jesus Christ, never to do this, never to pray with some hurting individual who is going on and on about their religious activity, while I can see they are hurting very deeply over something. I refuse to be, "one who sings songs to a heavy heart", and not attempt to bear that burden with them.
My dear, dear friend in Jesus Christ, never allow this to go on. Find some trusted Follower of Jesus, some Lover of Jesus Christ and His Words, someone who you know will help you through that smokescreen and get to the real pain. Do not let pride and vanity keep you from surrendering it all to Jesus, as the song writer said, "Tell it to Jesus, He is a friend that's well known." But then also take advantage of being a member of His Church. Find those with whom you can be honest and are those who really desire to, "bear one another's burdens." Life is too short, too precious to find us in the attempt to cover over, "a heavy heart," rather than allowing King, Savior, Lord, Deliverer, Sin-Bearer Jesus to heal your deepest wounds, and, to allow His Followers to, "bear one another's-heavy heart. "
Father, in Jesus' Name, may I never be one, "who sing songs to a heavy heart," then walks away with that precious heart still heavy. Amen.
Now some may be confused with this. "Shouldn't I be, "'one who sings songs to a heavy heart'"? Shouldn't I say, "Come on, brother, let's just praise the Lord, ask for "favor," believe Him for a miracle?" No! Not if those songs and all the cliches are not dealing with the real issues of that, "heavy heart."
I have noticed over the years of my life (not just in "ministry") that there are "spiritual" people who are quite "active" in church, ministries, etc., but who also have issues with which they have not dealt, and/or with which they do not deal. This is true not only of religious folk, but also non believers. A "hard worker" can just be a "hard" escaper." Many times it is the most "active," the "hardest workers," the "busiest" who are most attempting to run from heartache. Their energy in "work," and/or religious service is driven by an attempt to deal with some deep, perhaps even decades old problems, hurts, disappointments, grief. They may dance harder, shout louder, testify more frequently, go on more mission trips, but it is just an attempt to deal with that, "heavy heart." This is deeply heartbreaking.
A person who stands and prophesies over someone and appeals to their energetic "zeal for the Lord," but sees that there is something going on which is much deeper, is only a, "false prophet." It is nothing but prophecy for their own approval. I pray, with the help, grace, and empowerment of our Lord Jesus Christ, never to do this, never to pray with some hurting individual who is going on and on about their religious activity, while I can see they are hurting very deeply over something. I refuse to be, "one who sings songs to a heavy heart", and not attempt to bear that burden with them.
My dear, dear friend in Jesus Christ, never allow this to go on. Find some trusted Follower of Jesus, some Lover of Jesus Christ and His Words, someone who you know will help you through that smokescreen and get to the real pain. Do not let pride and vanity keep you from surrendering it all to Jesus, as the song writer said, "Tell it to Jesus, He is a friend that's well known." But then also take advantage of being a member of His Church. Find those with whom you can be honest and are those who really desire to, "bear one another's burdens." Life is too short, too precious to find us in the attempt to cover over, "a heavy heart," rather than allowing King, Savior, Lord, Deliverer, Sin-Bearer Jesus to heal your deepest wounds, and, to allow His Followers to, "bear one another's-heavy heart. "
Father, in Jesus' Name, may I never be one, "who sing songs to a heavy heart," then walks away with that precious heart still heavy. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
