This is a moving song, performed by Rachel Hyman, that speaks to the dismay one can feel when separated from a loved one. You may relate to the odd conflicting feeling when the weather seems to reflect the promise of new life and hope although one’s personal surroundings and circumstances do not.
Often, we may have been tempted to dismiss and ignore our painful emotions but it is important not to minizine suffering. And if we are honest with ourselves, I think sometimes we rush to play down the suffering of others, not purely because we want them to feel better about their circumstances, but because we want to feel more comfortable and their discomfort makes us feel uncomfortable. And that is actually a form of selfishness even if we may not see it, because we are motivated to rush people through grief not to help them process it better but to help ourselves.
“Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other. Don’t be lazy in showing your devotion. Use your energy to serve the Lord…Bless those who persecute you. Bless them, and don’t curse them. Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad.” Romans 12:10-14. I think it is also very important to notice it doesn’t say only be happy if people who share your identity are doing well or only be sad when people like you are suffering. It also doesn’t say only feel empathy for others if we think their feelings is justified by our own standards. We are all loved by God and we should all love each other and show compassion. When we are hurting it can be hard to remember that. But it is important to know that circumstances are not a clear indicator of God’s care or the lack thereof.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.’ But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39. Your suffering and honestly about your pain doesn’t make you less loved even if it makes others uncomfortable.
