Thursday, February 14, 2002
Thursday, February 14, 2002
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Someone has compared it to holding a beach ball under the water. If you've ever tried holding
a beach ball under water, you soon discovered what a difficult task it is. The air inside the ball
causes it to move toward the surface of the water. In order to keep the ball under the water
you have to exert strength and energy. The longer you hold the ball under the water, the more
tired you become. In order to rest from the effort you must let the ball rise to the surface.
Likewise, the emotions that God gave us need to be allowed to come to the surface. Many of
us are unconsciously trying to hold our emotions inside and are using strength and energy that
we need for other things. The longer we hold these emotions inside the less strength and
energy remains. We wear ourselves out trying to avoid dealing with our emotions.
Did you know that the Bible teaches us that it's all right to cry? Paul the Apostle wrote, "Rejoice
with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.".
(Romans 12.15
NRSV)
Dr. Robert J. Ackerman tells about playing golf with three other men. At the end of their golf
game, which lasted almost five hours, they decided to get something to eat. One of the men
declined, explaining that he had to go see his wife, who was in the hospital. None of the other
men even knew she was hospitalized. He never told them. They were walking, talking, and
playing together for five hours and he remained totally silent about this serious situation.
Dear God, show me the best way to express the great emotions you have given to me. Amen.
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