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Singles & Sickness

Before I got married I used to always say, "The Church really doesn't know how to minister to singles." I am not talking about the 22 year olds who are recently out of college and just starting out in life; I'm talking about those who deal with prolonged singleness. 


How do you encourage a 39 year old who wants to have kids, is single, and doesn't seem to have a prospect in sight? I did not get married until I was 37 and I still don't know that I have a good response to that question. Having stumbled through it, I can say, "Life was always better the more I focused on God, and could turn miserable whenever my concentration was placed elsewhere." While this is absolutely true, such comments offered little comfort while I was going through uncertainties about my future.  


I now understand, God always wanted to give me the desires of my heart; I just wasn't ready. I was afraid of intimacy and often sabotaged healthy relationships. My expectations about marriage were all wrong and I lacked God's love wisdom. 


I am now blissfully happy and want others to be just as fulfilled. Perhaps that is why I share to the point of possible annoyance the need and benefits of attachment healing. 


But what about sickness? I have less answers for people struggling with chronic illness or pain. I know our God can and does heal. Some have been waiting a long time and have experienced much loss.


Jesus seemed to always start with compassion.  Some scriptures describe Him as being "moved with compassion toward them." Are we moved with compassion? Have we allowed ourselves to be desensitized to the struggles of others? 


Along with all of the complications that accompany illness, I wonder how connections suffer. Ailments are known to create isolation both physically and theoretically.  Maybe in some cases a malady actually strengthens bonds. 


Regardless, Jesus modeled compassion not pity. Sympathy seems to be the main difference between pity and compassion.  Pity feels sorrow while compassion shows sympathy.


Who might you show sympathy to this week? Might you end up forging a new connection?


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