When a person experiences hardships over and over again, they come to expect it. If they live in these types of situations long enough, life is something they just endure. There is little pleasure because they expect another crisis around the corner.
But what happens when someone comes along and offers that person some kindness?
But what happens when someone comes along and offers that person some kindness?
What happens when they experience genuine love and someone else cares about them? At first, they are cautious. They might mistrust their sincerity. They may even lack good judgment.
A person who has experienced years of heartache have become accustomed to pain. They live it daily. They are so familiar with their troubles that it's like breathing. It's part of who they are. Accepting kindness from someone usually presents misgivings. They wonder if it's genuine. They wonder if it will last. They may fear that something bad will occur and remove their brief moment of joy they're experiencing.
I can tell you this because it's exactly how I felt today. After years of uncertainty, losses, and troubles, I've come to expect it. Although my faith tells me otherwise, I expect another sad situation.
We give ourselves pep talks to encourage. We encourage someone else because we like to make them smile. We laugh at our mistakes. Yet we still live in a darkened world. It's a continuous reminder that tells us to be careful. Terrible tragedies are all around us. We try to live in grace and faith for the sake of making a difference.
We admit we are not perfect and we are sinners. We fail miserably and we get back up again. When someone comes along and says, you are worthy, it's a big deal.
In a world that we expect the worse to happen, we can keep our eyes on Jesus. He said He is the way, the truth, and the life. We can trust Him in his word. We can concentrate on Him and not on our problems. He always finds a way even when we don't see it.
If we can just learn to wait on God's timing and not our own, then one day we'll see all those dark days were part of something much bigger.
When we come to the other side of that dark patch, we can look back in confidence. This was supposed to happen because we see, where we are today.
Thank God for that kind stranger, for that uplifting word from a friend. It was intended by God's loving grace to bring you closer to His arms.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." Colossians 3:15
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