As I am talking to people I am hearing two common sets of feelings – grief and guilt.
Heaps of people are grieving and hurting. They have lost much and many are feeling fearful and anxious about the future without a loved one, a home, a job, an office etc.
These people look really weary, becoming easily emotional and need lots of time to tell their stories and share their pain.
And then there are the guilty. The earthquake struck randomly and some people have been almost completely unaffected. Many of these feel guilty, which can mean we shrink back from those who are hurting.
For us all. Us who grieve and us who feel guilty we need to thank God for what we do have, name our losses and fears and ask God how can we be compassionate to someone else today.
When I ask God to guide us in this way I am often amazed by who God puts in my path and the possibilities to show compassion and care that open up. Being thankful, confessing our reality and asking for the resources and guidance to be compassionate are great prayers to pray today.
Heaps of people are grieving and hurting. They have lost much and many are feeling fearful and anxious about the future without a loved one, a home, a job, an office etc.
These people look really weary, becoming easily emotional and need lots of time to tell their stories and share their pain.
And then there are the guilty. The earthquake struck randomly and some people have been almost completely unaffected. Many of these feel guilty, which can mean we shrink back from those who are hurting.
For us all. Us who grieve and us who feel guilty we need to thank God for what we do have, name our losses and fears and ask God how can we be compassionate to someone else today.
When I ask God to guide us in this way I am often amazed by who God puts in my path and the possibilities to show compassion and care that open up. Being thankful, confessing our reality and asking for the resources and guidance to be compassionate are great prayers to pray today.
Go well and take the time to hear how those around you are really feeling
Grace and peace
Alan
