My Rashionale — Jesus experienced deep sorrow too; He understands

My Rashionale — Jesus experienced deep sorrow too; He understands

Have you ever wanted something for someone more than than he or she wanted it for him- or herself? Or maybe you could see the amazing potential in a person who was wasting opportunity after opportunity?

It’s hard enough to watch when it revolves around basic contributions to society, the community, a church family or the workplace. It’s almost unbearable when it comes to a person’s self-destructive behavior.

The reasons people get caught in a spiral of self-destruction could fill up a bookshelf. Why they stay there adds another bookshelf.

We all have the potential for low moments and seasons — and I’d venture to say we’ve all been there at some point.

But what allows some to pull out of the blues in a reasonable amount of time while others nosedive to a depth seemingly beyond reach?

The experts say that until a person is ready for help and admits he or she needs help, then there’s really nothing anyone else can do — the concept of “hitting rock bottom.”

It truly is heartbreaking to step out of the way in order to let the person hit rock bottom so he or she can then reach back up for help, but those trained in this area insist it is the right move.

One minister and counselor said until the person truly and consistently experiences the consequences of the action, or inaction, he or she most likely won’t be serious about getting the help needed.

In other words, as long as we bail our loved ones out each time, fix the problem or give them another pass, they are less likely to draw the line and decide to seek a change.

But again, it’s so hard to watch those we love suffer.

We can see so clearly what needs to happen and might even offer to help with each step, but for some reason those simple steps look much more daunting and impossible to those in the middle of the chaos.

The easier and more comfortable move is to remain in the cycle of destruction — it actually feels normal and familiar.

So many times mental health issues are at play as well, and those must be handled by a professional.

And while I don’t have specific answers for exactly what to do in these situations, I do know Jesus experienced what it feels like “to be sorrowful and troubled” (Matt. 26:37).

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me,” He said to three of His closest prayer partners as recorded in Matthew 26:38.

Jesus understands, and as Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

God doesn’t promise life will be easy, but He does promise to help us walk through it — if we will let Him.

Are you ready for something different? Then why waste another day? Let’s get started.