Heartless Solutions Can Lead to Isolation

Heartless solutions can lead to isolation.

Why then do we tend to have so little hesitation

In offering our best advice without reaching the heart.

Is it all about our pride, about how great “we art”?

“We gave her some solutions that we knew were a sure bet.

So, why is she depressed, they wondered? Why is she upset?

We want to solve her problems, help her turn her life around,

But she shunned our great ideas and called our advice unsound.”

Perhaps they didn’t understand her need for real compassion,

That no heartless solutions could bring her true satisfaction

Because they never spoke to issues that concerned her heart.

All they seemed to want was, their opinions to impart

But she grew weary of their heartless views and sayings trite,

Possessing no desire for yet one more unsound sound bite.

Before she dared accept their great advice, she had to know

That these folks cared about her heart – not just where she should go.

“Just listen to me,” she would plead. But no one wanted to.

That left her feeling isolated, nothing more to do.

Their inability to hear her voice made her withdraw,

Because they seemed so set on pointing out her every flaw

Instead of showing thankfulness for good things she had done.

How hard was it for them to see the victories she’d won?

Most of us can use at least a little validation,

Because without such cheer we can remain in isolation.

The point is that heartless solutions don’t do anybody any good

Even though our best intentions tell us that they should.

Yet without love, I’m just a clashing cymbal, clanging gong.

I do believe I’m doing right when I’m entirely wrong.

“Love one another” Jesus told his disciples. So maybe we should pray more before offering solutions, because only God has the perfect love we need to give to others.

The Heart That Won’t Pretend May Mend

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Rejected and Abandoned Ones Need Joy, Not Solutions

Rejected and abandoned ones need joy, not more “How-To’s,”

Because their hearts are broken and they’re longing for good news.

But sometimes all they hear is “You have brought this on yourself.”

“Don’t pour your tears on me, dear. Leave that jar upon the shelf.”

 

“You mustn’t fall apart for I can’t stand to see you cry.

Your greatest need is to remove the log from your own eye.”

Instead of seeking comfort, they must check their broken hearts

And turn from any sin they see inside those inward parts.

 

They mustn’t pour their hearts like perfume on the Master’s feet

Because it isn’t practical. They must honor that seat.

“Don’t let the healer see your pain. You have to be heroic.

It’s time to turn the other cheek. So stand tall and be stoic.”

 

“The Word says this is what to do, so do it perfectly!

To prove that you believe, control your feelings expertly.

Do not admit you have a wound you want Jesus to heal.

Just hurry up and fix the problem.  Show your faith is real!

 

Like Eli scolding Hannah, they assume that you’ve done wrong

Because Penninah’s needling you. “Stand up, girl, and be strong!”

But to a hurting person, such solutions can condemn

Because they focus on what’s bad and put more blame on them.

 

But oh, if they could see the bright side and break free to joy,

Instead of wagging fingers telling them how they annoy!

In order to release their grief, the hurt ones need to laugh,

Even though it seems as foolish as a young giraffe,

 

Its head caught in the branches of a tree it cannot climb.

God’s comfort comes through childlike play or with a silly rhyme.

Because when hearts are broken and they’re longing for good news,

Rejected and abandoned ones need joy, not more “How-To’s,”

 

The Very Best Miracle Cure for Depression