Your Heart Is The Key
Proverbs 14:10
(NLT) Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
(MSG) The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations.
This jumped out at me for just how personal it is. I mean, deep down, inside the inner most private parts of us, our heart, is where this hides. Even if we are able to share with another person our inner-most feelings, we REALLY don't! Deep down, we seem to hold on to a bit of our feelings and emotions, our fears and trust. Why? Perhaps it is from past life experiences. Perhaps it is from not really knowing how to open up. In either case, it is deep inside. Only YOU truly KNOW how you are feeling in a situation or circumstance.
Now, when you DO get brave, and actually SHARE your feelings with someone, it is incredible to have people in your life that are there through thick and thin! Your ups and your downs. My mother used to say that we each have someone in our life called a "fair weather friend" - these are people who are only "around" when things are going well in your life. When they can celebrate with you and have fun, laugh, be merry.... However, the bible tells us several times that a TRUE friend is one who is with you at all times, in all situations. Good and bad. Happy and sad. Ups and downs. Sure, they may not be able to relate, but they DO have the ability to listen and be there. A true friend, is also one that is willing to lay down their life for you and others. Now, I'm not sure too many of us, if actually challenged in this area, would "really" lay down our life for another. Really. Even if we couldn't do it in a real life situation - Jesus HAS done it in our life! He DID lay down His life, just so we could be saved and have eternal life with Him in heaven!!
The last part of this verse struck me too. That even though we share our joys with others, the deep down inside feelings of joy that flood our heart and soul - others cannot fully know that either! Not that we don't try and share it with them. But that it is something deep and personal just for us. A gift of sorts from God. That little slice of brightness that comes way deep down in our heart and soul - that is a blessing and a gift that God gives to us to experience. Showing that He really does want and have the BEST for us!
This verse in "The Message" says it so straight up - that I had to share it! If/When we avoid our friends when they are having a bad day or in hard times, there will be a bitterness, resentment even towards us when the happy moments come. We could very well be left out of the celebration. Shoot, we may not even learn of the 'good news' until way after it has happened! Ouch! Oh sure, we may be invited to the celebration, but we won't really be a part of the "inner circle" of those closest to the ones that are celebrating. We will actually feel like an "outsider" in certain conversations. NOT a good feeling!!
Today, if you are feeling that you are an "outsider" in a certain situation or circle of friends or family - please take this as an opportunity, a lesson to learn. Yes, it is not natural to be humble or to confess things and asking for forgiveness. But let me tell you - it is the BEST thing for us, our heart and our soul! Perhaps, you have not been a part of the "in crowd" with someone - perhaps it is not because of "who you are" but due to "who they are" and what they are willing to share with you. If you really want a clean slate, then perhaps you need to go to them and share your heart of compassion and desire to be there in good and bad times. You never know - perhaps they didn't KNOW your heart! I'm not saying go tell everyone your business, or get in the middle of everyone else's business! For people that you truly count as friends and a part of your "inner circle" - you may need to be a bit more open and honest. It is hard, I understand. But God designed us to be connected with others. Don't shun others when they are going through hard times. Even if you have NO clue what to say or do - just be there. Be a shoulder, a sounding board, a hand to hold. Sometimes, sitting in silence says WAY more than any words ever could!
The key is our heart. Who are we really willing to let into our lives, and who are we really willing to be a part of their lives. It is called "living" after all. Living is sharing. Sharing is living. Pray about who you are in others' lives. Then pray for those God says are good and safe to be a part of your life. There is nothing more fulfilling and joyous that being a part of a praising celebration of Gods provision through a storm in someones adventure called life. The "key" to all of this relationship stuff? It is Jesus. He needs to be the front and center, the first One we go to! He is the One that really holds the key to our hearts as well as the key to others' hearts. For that, I am very thankful!
(NLT) Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
(MSG) The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations.
This jumped out at me for just how personal it is. I mean, deep down, inside the inner most private parts of us, our heart, is where this hides. Even if we are able to share with another person our inner-most feelings, we REALLY don't! Deep down, we seem to hold on to a bit of our feelings and emotions, our fears and trust. Why? Perhaps it is from past life experiences. Perhaps it is from not really knowing how to open up. In either case, it is deep inside. Only YOU truly KNOW how you are feeling in a situation or circumstance.
Now, when you DO get brave, and actually SHARE your feelings with someone, it is incredible to have people in your life that are there through thick and thin! Your ups and your downs. My mother used to say that we each have someone in our life called a "fair weather friend" - these are people who are only "around" when things are going well in your life. When they can celebrate with you and have fun, laugh, be merry.... However, the bible tells us several times that a TRUE friend is one who is with you at all times, in all situations. Good and bad. Happy and sad. Ups and downs. Sure, they may not be able to relate, but they DO have the ability to listen and be there. A true friend, is also one that is willing to lay down their life for you and others. Now, I'm not sure too many of us, if actually challenged in this area, would "really" lay down our life for another. Really. Even if we couldn't do it in a real life situation - Jesus HAS done it in our life! He DID lay down His life, just so we could be saved and have eternal life with Him in heaven!!
The last part of this verse struck me too. That even though we share our joys with others, the deep down inside feelings of joy that flood our heart and soul - others cannot fully know that either! Not that we don't try and share it with them. But that it is something deep and personal just for us. A gift of sorts from God. That little slice of brightness that comes way deep down in our heart and soul - that is a blessing and a gift that God gives to us to experience. Showing that He really does want and have the BEST for us!
This verse in "The Message" says it so straight up - that I had to share it! If/When we avoid our friends when they are having a bad day or in hard times, there will be a bitterness, resentment even towards us when the happy moments come. We could very well be left out of the celebration. Shoot, we may not even learn of the 'good news' until way after it has happened! Ouch! Oh sure, we may be invited to the celebration, but we won't really be a part of the "inner circle" of those closest to the ones that are celebrating. We will actually feel like an "outsider" in certain conversations. NOT a good feeling!!
Today, if you are feeling that you are an "outsider" in a certain situation or circle of friends or family - please take this as an opportunity, a lesson to learn. Yes, it is not natural to be humble or to confess things and asking for forgiveness. But let me tell you - it is the BEST thing for us, our heart and our soul! Perhaps, you have not been a part of the "in crowd" with someone - perhaps it is not because of "who you are" but due to "who they are" and what they are willing to share with you. If you really want a clean slate, then perhaps you need to go to them and share your heart of compassion and desire to be there in good and bad times. You never know - perhaps they didn't KNOW your heart! I'm not saying go tell everyone your business, or get in the middle of everyone else's business! For people that you truly count as friends and a part of your "inner circle" - you may need to be a bit more open and honest. It is hard, I understand. But God designed us to be connected with others. Don't shun others when they are going through hard times. Even if you have NO clue what to say or do - just be there. Be a shoulder, a sounding board, a hand to hold. Sometimes, sitting in silence says WAY more than any words ever could!
The key is our heart. Who are we really willing to let into our lives, and who are we really willing to be a part of their lives. It is called "living" after all. Living is sharing. Sharing is living. Pray about who you are in others' lives. Then pray for those God says are good and safe to be a part of your life. There is nothing more fulfilling and joyous that being a part of a praising celebration of Gods provision through a storm in someones adventure called life. The "key" to all of this relationship stuff? It is Jesus. He needs to be the front and center, the first One we go to! He is the One that really holds the key to our hearts as well as the key to others' hearts. For that, I am very thankful!
Comments