24 April, 2023, Israel: Have you ever made yourself vulnerable, to share your struggle with another, only to have them say “Well, you think THAT’s bad…” And the next thing they say just feels like it minimizes and ignores everything you just said. That hurts when you’ve just made yourself vulnerable. You’re not alone in feeling this way. I’ve experience the same thing often, when I’ve expressed needs. That kind of response also seems to belittle the need, as if I ought to feel guilty for bringing it up.
Whenever I speak of a need, my request is that people will pray about it. It’s never for manipulation: “Not under compulsion,” see 2 Corinthians 9:7. And by “pray about it,” I mean really pray, not just offer wishful thinking. Prayer comprises bringing requests to The Father in Y’shua’s Name, not just blithe hopes for the best.
Today, one of JTOD’s monthly Partners sent me the below article, to encourage me. I’m so thankful that they show the time and care to understand my challenges and heartbreaks in this work.
It’s such a blessing, that I decided to feature it as a special insert below: “Don’t Tread on My Suffering,” from sufferwell.org:
Source: Sufferwell.org
Questions to consider:
- So, when someone shares a need and asks for prayer support, does one’s response add to their suffering, or alleviate it?
- Is the resulting prayer effectual and spiritual, or is it vague hope, based on “luck” or “fate?”
- Does one’s response resemble the mind of YHWH, or that of the misguided friends of Job?