One of these days we will be back together in large groups and you will be able to experience the following suggestion firsthand. Until then, use your imagination. Here goes.
Visualize a pile of problems in the middle of the room. Everybody contributes until there’s not a problem left outside the pile. Now share with others the nature of the problems you came with and hear the same from them. The only other rule is that at the end of the discussion, you have to leave with as many problems as you brought. The shocker is that the great majority of us would choose to leave with the same problems that we brought in the first place!
Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 (ETRV) = 11 I also saw other things in this life that were not fair. The fastest runner does not always win the race; the strongest soldier does not always win the battle; wise people don’t always get the food; smart people don’t always get the wealth; educated people don’t always get the praise they deserve. When the time comes, bad things can happen to anyone! 12 You never know when hard times will come. Like fish in a net or birds in a snare, people are often trapped by some disaster that suddenly falls on them.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ETRV) = 9 But the Lord said, “My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.” So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me. 10 Yes, I am glad to have weaknesses if they are for Christ. I am glad to be insulted and have hard times. I am glad when I am persecuted and have problems, because it is when I am weak that I am really strong.
These two readings are alike in several ways. As it relates to grieving and grief, see if you can spot some similarities and differences. We all will be tempted to begin our grieving with a “Why me?” when we really ought to be saying “Why NOT me?”
Very young people have problems and very old people have problems. The difference is in how they handle them. Losses tend to bring out the worst and best in people. Ahead of time, build a strong support system, and if you are a person of faith — you’ll have a huge advantage.
Everything that has ever happened to me is carried around by an invisible sack I have on my back. Then, when I get into an unusual situation, I rummage around in the sack and search for something where I can insert tab A into slot B. Try to put good and strong coping mechanisms into your sack on your back today. You’ll need them very soon.
Doug Greenway
These blog articles are written by the retired minister and former educator and counselor, Doug Greenway. He'd love to hear from you with your comments, questions, or suggestions for future topics. You may reach Doug at doug_greenway@yahoo.com.