A group of
frogs were traveling through the woods, when two of them fell into a deep pit.
All the other frogs gathered around the pit opening. When they saw how deep the
pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs they would never get out. The two
frogs ignored their comments and tried to jump up out of the pit. The other
frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one
of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up.
He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could.
Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and suffering and
just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out of the pit. When he got
out, the other frogs asked, “Why did you continue jumping? Didn’t you hear us?”
The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging
him the entire time!
We are at a
time in world history when we are more “connected” than ever before (Email,
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter [oops!] X, and more). Due to the advances of
technology, we are able to do things that previous generations could not have
even imagined. Ironically, our ability to connect digitally has not solved our
pressing problems such as isolation and loneliness. Sadly, such seems to have
actually exacerbated the problem. The world seems lonelier than ever.
Two examples of
how desperate our world is for encouragement, fellowship, and belonging: The
United Kingdom created a new governmental position. They called it the
“Ministry of Loneliness.” The government official is tasked with dealing with
the ever-growing problem of isolation. One out of every ten people in the UK
say that they feel lonely “always.” This is a problem for many reasons, one of
them is health risk. Some studies have shown that isolation is worse for our
health than smoking every day. The isolated have a greater risk of
cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety. Second, Japan is
experiencing a crime wave, of sorts, among the elderly, especially elderly
women. Otherwise, law-abiding senior citizens are resorting to things like
petty theft because they are lonely and scared. They have no one to turn to
when they need help and they long for the community and stability that jail
offers them. They steal something small hoping to get caught and quickly thrown
in jail. Let us use these examples from places far away from us – from cultures
vastly different from our own – to wake up to and recognize the fact that all
people everywhere long to feel like they belong and that they are safe.
[1
Thessalonians 5:11] “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just
as you also are doing.” There is the power of death and life in the tongue
(Proverbs 18:21) – An encouraging word to someone who is down can life them up
and help them make it through the day. A destructive word to someone who is
down can be what it takes to kill them (Proverbs 12:6). Let’s be careful of
what we say! Speak life to those who cross our path! This is where the Good
News of Jesus Christ shines like the beacon of hope that it is! Those who know
the love and mercy of Jesus must be about the business of sharing this glorious
hope with others. We do not have to be or feel alone. “…be content with such
things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor
forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). We should help others to feel connected to the
body of Christ. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and
good works…” (Hebrews 10:24). Special is the individual who will take the time
to encourage another. May our lips speak words of encouragement instead of
disparaging words. Somebody is counting on you to show them kindness and to
connect them to Jesus. Their eternal happiness in His love depends on it.
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