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
