One of the most vulnerable things one can come across with is a bird with broken wings. Most often than not it looks afraid, helpless, and hopeless. Experts say the best way to help is by getting in touch with a vet who has experience with birds. While waiting for help, we can monitor the foundling by seeing if it can recover on its own and give it a chance to fly away if it can.
Birds are not alone in being vulnerable when in pain. We encounter wounded people everyday, it’s just that most of the time, their injuries are not visible to the naked eye. It is all internal. usually inflicted in their soul.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16
That is why as we go through life, we are called to show gentleness to everyone. We are meant to bear this fruit of the spirit, as a sign that the Holy Spirit is within us and we abide in Jesus Christ. We will never know what the other person is going through if we are just so focused on our own concerns and would not even bother thinking about how the other person feels, or why he or she is acting that way.
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” Titus 3:1-2
We will never know when we will come across an emotionally injured person, and so we have to be more mindful about our actions and reactions to every person we meet. We must be ready to react the way Jesus would, regardless if that person deserves such a treatment or not.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:1-4
There are also times when we experience emotional injuries ourselves. We become so emotionally scarred that we withdraw from others, or become defensive as they try to help. We also sometimes let pride get in the way, and pretend that we are all okay, when deep inside we are just so crushed and broken.
Regardless of the extent of the emotional pain we may be in, let us show thankfulness to those who genuinely show concern for our plight. We may want to lower the walls we have put up to protect ourselves, and let them into our lives a bit, to show gratitude for the sincere friendship that they extend. Remember, God uses others to show us that He cares for us.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
And as we try to recover from our pain, let us never forget whom to run to for total healing. Our Heavenly Father calls us to come to Him, and as we do that, we should offer to Him all our brokenness, as only He could make us whole again.
“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:7-10
As we go through God’s healing and cleansing of our lives, let us also not forget to pass on what we have learned to others from the difficulty God helped us endure. Through that, we get to thank our Lord and Savior, and at the same time, shine His light to others who are still struggling with their emotional wounds like spritual brokenness, grief, depression, and anxiety.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on Psalm 51:1-17 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: How have you responded to the emotionally vulnerable people you come across with? How have other people responded to you when you are reeling in emotional pain? Has your relationship with God helped you recover?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for being my healer. Thank you, I can be vulnerable, and seek your help. Allow me to be there for others who are in pain, and give me the grace to point them towards you. Amen.
