We live in a world that is rampant with marriage problems
Divorce has really become an epidemic
We all know people who are struggling this very second in their marriage
Because of this
Saying the right thing
When someone is confiding in you is
Close to impossible
It is close to impossible
Because
You know if you were in their shoes
Your not sure that you could keep those same shoes on
This makes it difficult to know what to say
So today I’m going to leave you with
What NOT to say…
What question NOT to ask…
“How long are you going to put up with that?”
This story in the Bible came to my mind as I wrote this post.
Mark 9:14-24
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
“What are you arguing with them about?” he asked,
A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
“O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“If you can?” said Jesus.“Everything is possible for him who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Can’t you just hear Jesus say, If you can? Seriously! Have you not listened to anything I’ve said? Have you not seen what I can do? Loaves and Fishes maybe, I was born of a virgin, I heal people, I deliver people, and I am the only person you know that can make something out of nothing! What part of everything are you not getting?
This question:
“How long are you going to put up with that?”
Exposes unbelief
In you
When I was in the middle of believing for the impossible many people without knowing what they were saying would ask that very question. I know I have asked those kinds of unbelieving questions myself especially before God showed me what believing and persevering for the impossible looked like. Believing for the impossible gets real ugly but Jesus does his best work when things get ugly ugly ugly!
Be careful how you encourage those who are smack dab in the middle of ugly!