“Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.” Proverbs 25:20 NLT
As Christians we are able to live joy filled lives knowing that we have eternal life and are heaven bound. But as mortals living in a fallen world, we will go through times of difficulty and pain. It is a part of the life that we live.
To pretend that we should always be “cheerful” in every circumstance is to be shallow at best but could even be hurtful to those with heavy hearts.
Paul gives us instructions on how to care for others as they experience the ups and downs of life.
“Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 NLT
When someone is heavy hearted, it is not the time to sing cheerful songs or pepper them with bible verses. It is time to just be there and remind them that they are loved.
There will come a time to minister the Living Word and there will come a time to sing songs again, as the Psalmist proclaimed: “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalms 30:5b NLT
Joy will come in the morning, but often healing begins with a time to grieve and a time to weep.
This week, love and minister to someone who is hurting by simply being there.
