My God Who Stands By Me

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

New International Version (NIV)

9 Two are better than one,

    because they have a good return for their labor:

10 If either of them falls down,

    one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

    and has no one to help them up.

Philippians 2:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

John 13:34-35

New International Version (NIV)

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

I always have trouble when a nurse or health specialist holds up a pain chart and asks me to select which face best describes my pain.  It's hard to measure pain when I always hurt.  Unfortunately, it's also hard to measure another's pain when I always hurt.  Still I should try, because everybody hurts.  God never intended us to live in isolation, but pain isolates us.  It's also a choice. I draw my blanket of pain around me and call it self-preservation.  We're the sweet jam to spread, the honey to soothe.  Today I was bothered when a mentally impaired man crowed my personal space.  Uncomfortable, I surrendered the space to him, and quietly hoped to never share the same waters again.  I'm so glad Jesus doesn't see me that way. 

Isaiah 43:2

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,

Nor will the flame burn you.

"Stand By Me" - Tenth Avenue North