Compassionate Love: Displaying Compassion for Those Who Struggle with Mental Illness (c)2019 Nancy Virden, Always The Fight Ministries
You live inside a cube with a window and door. Each of us does.
With you in your cube are what you value, and what makes you who you are. Your family, church, job, and hobby are in there. So are your favorite entertainments, and deep thoughts. In one corner is a dark spot of flaws and selfish behaviors.
All our cubes are filled in the same manner.
As you go throughout your day, bumping into other cubes, maybe annoyance grows. Inside your private space with unchallenged ideas, you feel safe.
It is simple to dehumanize others we refuse to see.
Observe and connect
Open your window and watch from a distance superficially. Possibly some faces look back at you making assumptions. You presume to know what they are thinking.
Communication is empty of understanding.
Ah, the door. Swing it wide and invite others in! Expose the real you. Take responsibility for your decisions. When you and at least one other person are welcome to enter and leave each other’s cubes freely, your basic human need for positive, meaningful connection will be met!
There is joyous give and take, generous communication, forgiveness, and honesty about darker egos. That is how we learn and grow.
Be emotionally healthy
You have no control over whether other cubes open. Let them go. You will not have freedom with everyone. However, it is not healthy to stay hidden inside, never reaching out, sharing, or helping.
It is not healthy to allow someone else to live in your cube trying to meet all your needs. It is equally not healthy and is dangerous to stay in another person’s cube, living for his or her happiness.
Whether family, friends, or romance, choose relationships wisely. Within a positive and meaningful connection you need validation, to know someone values you enough to be involved, and genuine acceptance. Look for these.
A connection is ready
Jesus offers all three. He knows every second of your existence. This validation and acceptance is proven in Psalm 139. Jesus also showed how much he values you when he left heaven to sacrifice his body for your eternal soul.
If people in your life refuse to connect, remember you have One who always wants you to know him as he knows you.
Today’s Helpful Word
Psalm 139: 1, 16
“You have searched me, Lord and you know me… Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
***** COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME
NOTE: I am not a doctor or mental health professional. I speak only from personal experiences with and observations of mental and behavioral health challenges. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.
If you are struggling emotionally today or feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.
If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. (for international emergency numbers, go here ), or go to your nearest emergency room. Do not be alone. Hope and help are yours.
Always the Fight 