Have you ever had an extremely emotionally debilitating situation? Perhaps it was the loss of a child, mate or parent. Perhaps it was the loss of your home by way of a natural disaster or fire. Or perhaps you were in a horrific accident which left you severely injured or handicapped. The list goes on and on. When persons ask about you, you may share, for that situation has now imprinted you.

There are those individuals whom you meet that tell you to “shake it off”, “get over it”, etc. You may be trying diligently to overcome the situation, but it has drastically altered your life. An article in Psychology Today reminds us that “the process of sorting out our feelings when something is hurtful or destructive happens is a long one and will need support. That support does not include people suggesting this is a trial which will make us stronger-or any other clichés of that ilk.” Have you ever had someone say, “don’t you think it’s time to move on?”  Such indifference suggests “that grief, mourning or recovery come with a use-by-date stamp. No one except the person suffering loss can decide when the moment is right to move on.” The gift of empathy is not judgmental.

If you don’t want to hear what someone has to share, then distance yourself from them. Egotistical sarcasm only brings the person enduring the heartache more sorrow. What if God had harsh judgement toward you when you shared your burdens with Him? I Thess. 5:11 (NIV) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as  fact you are doing.