Tag: encouragement

I’m a listener and a people watcher. I’m a student of human behavior. Here’s an observation from my observations:

People spend way too much time trying to convince others that they have a hard life…hard, demanding, degrading job, family issues, relationship issues, health issues, etc. It’s almost like they’re in a competition…a battle of “one-upmanship.”

• the doctor said he’s never seen a case as bad as mine
• no one has experienced as much as I have
• no one has had to deal with the kind of people I have to deal with
• no one has been around as much as I have
• no one has had to carry the weight that I carry
• no one has been treated the way I have as many times as I have

Here’s the problem: We’re trying to convince the already-convinced. They’re underwhelmed by our “shock and awe” stories – not because they don’t care or aren’t concerned. They’re not shocked because they too have a hard life of their own…a whole different set of burdens that are equally as weighty as ours.

Here’s the solution: BE the listener. BE the one to encourage. BE the mercy-giver. BE the edifier. We’re all in this together. God will ensure that you get what you give.

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. ~Philippians 2:4