Celebrate with those who celebrate, and weep with those who grieve. Romans 12:15 (TPT)
Celebrate and Weep – The Making A Difference Series – Part 3
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5
In his book, “Out of Solitude”, Henry Nouwen said:
“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.“
Empathy is sorely underrated. Because we are a society addicted to action, we are uncomfortable with the seemingly stationary nature of empathy. But if we look a little closer, we would find that empathy isn’t so much stationary as it is deep.
Saying sorry to someone doesn't mean that you caused the pain. It merely means that you see it, that you've felt pain before in your life as well, and that you are open to a connection with them while they are going through it. It’s an acknowledgement of presence. It’s the way of taking hold of someone, either by the hand or the heart and being with them as they move through the pain, and eventually into joy.
Our ability to journey with people and bring them along is crucial: life is long. Back and forth, day by day, with many of the same people for years on end. One day, it will be reversed, and your friend or family member or co-worker will stand by you, and with you, as you transform through pain and heartache.
Gloating and silence close the door to growth and transformation. That's why it's so important for us to allow people to talk and grieve and protest and share their thoughts. Empathy, communication, and connection, can change everything.
Romans 12:15-18 says:
“Celebrate with those who celebrate and weep with those who grieve. Live happily together in a spirit of harmony, and be as mindful of another’s worth as you are your own. Don’t live with a lofty mind-set, thinking you are too important to serve others, but be willing to do menial tasks and identify with those who are humble minded. Don’t be smug or even think for a moment that you know it all. Never hold a grudge or try to get even, but plan your life around the noblest way to benefit others. Do your best to live as everybody’s friend.”
This is holy work, work that makes a difference in the world. And it's not so much work, as it is a way of life.
Go to Part 4 – The Unseen »
Written by Lizzy Milani
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