Can We Be Civil and Kind?

I witnessed two people having a conversation about a large facility being converted to a hospital for drug addicted people. They were vehemently against this move. They felt, very strongly, that the building should be used for "better" purposes, i.e. a place for homeless veterans. Their opinion of those addicted to drugs was that they had brought their situation on themselves. No one forced them to use drugs, they were the "scum of the earth", and they deserved to rot on the streets. The opinion of these two was that drug addiction was not a disease, it was a choice, and the taxpayer should not have to foot the bill for their care.I was incredulous at their attitudes, but even more shocked that they thought, no, they were positive, that addictions were not diseases. I showed them articles of proof to the contrary, but their response was to call me names. Saddened by this whole conversation, I set down a story that portrayed my thoughts. I have no knowledge that they have read it, but I hope someone will read it and learn from it.......................................There once was a young man who thought he was invincible. He sat on the wall of a deep well and looked down into it. No problem, he said. I won't fall off, so I am safe. The next thing he knew he slipped and fell in. He struggled and tried over and over to climb out, but he just couldn't make it on his own. He cried out for help, but no one helped him because they said he shouldn't have sat on the wall in the first place. He was lonely, miserable and sick, but no one would help. He was left to die because the people were too hard-hearted and full of hate to help him. What a disgusting and disturbing story, that people are so unkind that they won't help those in need, but think they know all the answers, when in fact, they've never been down in the well!

Ma

Hate is one of the worst diseases of mankind. We certainly don't have to look very far to find it. We laugh at those we consider less intelligent or overweight. We make fun of people who make a mistake in speaking or perhaps fall. We think it's funny if someone is hit in the face with an object. We pretend we're better than others because we have made a few good choices, or we're prettier, healthier, not blond. Evil is alive and rampant, and we call ourselves civilized. We're pathetic! Alcoholism, drug addiction, over-eating, self-mutilation, mental illness, are all diseases and need help to overcome. Nothing is fair in this world, but we could at least be civil and kind.

Who Do You Trust?

There are many people in this world that are followers of Christ but find it very difficult to share their burdens and their problems with their Christian brothers and sisters. These people are either very private or they have had the misfortune of being betrayed by someone they have trusted with their heartaches. These are usually the ones who ask for "unspoken" prayer requests. What a shame that we can't trust those in the family of God!

Other Christians not only share every heartache they have or have ever had, 

but they tell everyone they come in contact with. They seem to have no 

problem with everyone knowing their problems, but one would think they 

would become weary at some point. We must understand that some just 

have this need to talk through things.

Then we come to the third Christian. This one is selective about who they talk

to about their burdens, and tells only the ones that are believed to be trusted

to pray about it, which is the main reason to share. This is where yours truly 

fits in. 

I once was a long time member of a ladies' weekly bible study group. I was a 

new Christian, and also the youngest in the group. The rest of the ladies 

were older, wiser, and some had faced some of the problems that I was facing

at the time. I relied greatly on their insight and spiritual wisdom. There was

an average of about fifteen women involved in the group, so it was clear to 

me that I was taking a bit of a chance by telling these very personal problems.

One day I was passing the pastor in a hallway and we stopped for a short 

visit. At some point, I said something about asking for prayer in the group

about something. Pastor hesitated a moment, then said, "Shirley, I think you 

tell too much."

"Why do you think that?" I asked him.

"Well, you can't always be sure things stay within the group. And 

then sometimes they might discuss between themselves what you have

told them." You could tell he was trying to be as careful as possible not

 to accuse anyone, but just to caution me.

"I'm very aware that that could happen," I confessed, "and I've given it a lot

of thought. If anyone in the group feels the need to talk about me or 

my problems, and if they want to talk about me when they are together, I have 

no problem with that. Actually, it's not for me to deal with. What they do or say

is God's problem, not mine. I need prayer. My family needs prayer. So, I am 

going to share my problems where I should be able to share them, in my 

church family. I hope they pray for us. I think I know the ones who will, and 

the ones who won't. But, I trust God to remind them, and I know the faithful 

ones will pray."

"Well, I thought I should mention it."

And, of course, he should have. But, I will always be saddened by the fact that 

he needed to do it. It's very important that those of us who are believers 

remind ourselves that none of us has arrived yet. We are all still striving to 

attain that goal, but we won't be there until the day He takes us home. 

So, let's cut each other some slack, and then focus our minds on being

as Christlike as we can be. Taking care of me is quite enough work.

If you wish to keep your problems to yourself, then you should do so. 

But hopefully, you will find someone to whom you can share and ask to pray 

with you. If you choose to tell many, or all you know, again, fine. But, maybe 

just a little discernment would be enough relief. The question we should 

address is Am I Trustworthy? not Who Can I Trust? When we sweep our 

own front step, as my mother always use to say, then it's the first step in 

getting the whole world clean. If I'm taking care of me, and you're taking care

of you, that's when we are better prepared to pray for each other and share

our strength in support.

(As always, there are always exceptions and "what ifs" to deal with. Who you 

trust must be your decision.)