We all have our own little worlds, right? Or at least most
of us do. You know, the world you keep yourself locked in, the one that keeps
you from seeing the pain of others, from reaching out to offer a kind word or a
helping hand or even a prayer for a hurting soul.
Sometimes I stay in my own little world to escape the harsh
realities of this life. I know there’s a big world out there but I just shut it
out. Why? Because sometimes when it’s hard for me to deal with issues I have it’s
easier to just tune everything out and then it’s just me and things that help
me cope- the Word, inspirational music, writing or just immersing myself in an
imaginary world of people in novels.
Other times I refuse to leave my little world not because I’m
necessarily dealing with a personal issue but because it’s too painful to look
people in the eye, feel their pain and help...because I don’t want to destroy
the little piece of heaven I have created for myself...or because feeling the
pain of someone will prompt me to take an action to help and well, I may be
feeling too comfortable in my little world to be bothered. So sometimes I avoid
them...the little pleading eyes, the outstretched hands desperately needing a
touch, the forlorn voice calling out...and I just walk hurriedly on, shrugging
off the need to help even in the smallest way.
Stepping out of our little worlds makes us see the anguish,
the fear, the despair in people and really, nobody likes to feel all of these emotions
because happiness and peace do not dwell in them. But I’m realizing that if
we’re all to stay in our little world’s those who are hurting real bad and need
help will be left all alone in their misery.
How sad. :( I
have realized life is not just about me
or what I may be dealing with or my feelings.
These days I’m finding happiness in helping others even when
my life is shattering into a million pieces. I’m learning that God reaches out
to me when I reach out to someone else hurting. You can image how gloomy and
sad life would be if we all decided to keep locked inside... No one will reach
out to another person, everyone will be nursing their deep cut
wounds...imagine. That is not the kind of life God wants us to live. He wants us
to help heal each other through the pain, the sorrow, the hurt, our fears.
We need to reach out for help to heal ourselves, and reach
out to others hurting. That’s the way we learn to love and accept people as
they are. And God’s Word is constantly teaching me how to be better. I don’t
have to wait for someone to reach out to me before I offer some help. The
condition of the person alone should speak to me, break my heart and touch my
heart. And if I have nothing material to offer, I’ll be sure to say a prayer for that hurting soul.
Matthew West’s
song “My own little world” hits the nail deeply on the head. Do take time to listen to it. It conveys my personal thoughts and feelings.
I constantly pray to God to break my heart for what breaks
His, to give me the courage to grant the silent requests of people going
through hell, people who may be in far worse situations than I am in. I may not
feel comfortable helping at that particular time but I know it’s the right
thing to do. What better way to love people as God wants us to than to help them
out when they’re troubled and feel helpless? That’s the way of love...putting
someone else’s need before yours... not being selfish. But we also have to
remember that God says we should love our neighbor as ourselves, not more than ourselves.
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all
your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is
this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other
commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30,31
Let’s remember some verses on helping others:
“For the poor will never cease out of the land; therefore I
command you, open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor,
in the land.” Deuteronomy 15:11
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in
need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” 1 John 3:17
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the
Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep
oneself unstained from the world.” James
1:27
“Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves
with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not
fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure
is, there will your heart be also.” Luke
12:33,34
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have
loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for
his friends.” John 15:12,13
“Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice
hospitality.” Romans 12:13
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of
Christ.” Galatians 6:2
“Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility
count others better than yourselves.” Philippians
2:3
I pray God gives us the strength to leave our little worlds
and reach out to the hurting.
Have a lovely weekend! xoxo
Delali.
