Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Have You Ever Been Low?

Ever wondered why the people closest to you tend to hurt you the most? I do. It's not uncommon when it comes to relatives and close friends. Every gesture and every word they put out bear more meaning and more depth to you than your acquaintances. Why? It's because of your expectations of them. You would expect more from your family members than your good friends. You would expect more from your good friends than your acquaintances.

And why is that, you ask? Well, because you know who they are and what they are capable of. You've seen them at their best and at their worst. If you needed something from them, you know that they will be able to provide you with that need. But, why then, does it hurt? Simple, you know that they can provide for you in times of need, but when they aren't able to, you get disappointed, knowing full well that it could have been better. That's why.

It gets you down when your friends don't reply your messages compared to your acquaintances. Feedback from friends bear more meaning than words from other people. One word from a friend is better than 10 words from a stranger, you get the drift.

Now that I'm able to put my finger on it, what can I do about it? Can I lower my expectations on them? I can, but it's hard to do that, knowing that your friends are capable of much more. Be prepared to be let down? Hmm..... thinkable but not doable. Continue to love them despite the disappointment? Bingo.

Let's face it, hurt is hurt, there's no other way to describe it. But, in order to be able to love as well as you want to love and be loved, you have to let the hurt go. You have to let the disappointment go. You have to forgive. It's in your hands. It's up to you. Likewise, it's up to me to forgive my friends and continue to love them even if they've hurt me with their words or deeds.

Know this: God knows what we are capable of. God knows that we can be better, we can do better. God's expectations on us are quite high. Do we fail? Oh yes, we definitely do. Does He condemn us? No. Does He still love us? You bet!

So, let the hurt and the disappointments go. Live another day knowing that God doesn't hold our failures against us, neither should we do so against our friends and family. Be blessed.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Be comforted to know that you're not the only one feeling that way, as all of us including me are not spared from that type of feeling of disappointment, frustration, hurt etc.

We do know for sure that we can rely on God and run to Him while we're going through the so-called low/dry patches in our lives.

No, it's not easy but we're comforted to know that He had gone through what we're experiencing now. He knows how it feels like and understands it very well, in fact.

Nobody likes to go through such trying and difficult times but it's necessary so that we can be pruned or moulded to be the person He wants us to be.

Run to the open arms of Jesus who loves us unconditionally. By saying this, I'm also being reminded to do likewise. He's there to heal and touch all the brokenness in our hearts and lives. Rest assured that He will not spurn one who has a broken spirit and contrite heart. :-)