Proverbs 14 "See the Need"

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,

and no one else can share its joy.

I find that this is and interesting verse. I had a different view of it first and then I read some commentaries and now it has changed a little. Here in this verse it is basically talking about that no one really knows what is going on in someone else's heart except that person. We can not know the sadness or the joy thats inside.

Why is this important? I think all of us make assumptions on why people act the way they do and responded to them based on those assumptions. Oh, I have been so wrong, so many times about various people. I have had to learn the hard way. This is why Christ wants us to love others with His love. He knows all our hurts, all our joys, all our pain and all our thoughts.

I remember in one of my classes at CBC, one of my professors taught us the "Jonathan Principle". To sum up it was about how his young son "Jonathan" had taught him to look past peoples hurts and see the "need"! That "need" is their need for Christ. We can not know why people act the way they do; that however, should not change the way we respond to them.

It is easy to show love to those whose heart's is full of joy. But when they are ugly to us, "see the need". When the ignore us, "see the need". When they are shy,"see the need". When they say mean things, "see the need". When they are bitter, "see the need". When they are hurting, "see the need". When they seem indifferent, "see the need". In any circumstance in any situation, "see the need".

We can not know what God will do if we do not move out of our comfort zone and reach out with the love of Christ. There is an aspect here of not only seeing but doing something. God wants' us to reach out and meet peoples needs what ever they are. Not only is there a need for Christ; but there are other needs that we must meet. There are needs that are "felt". "Felt" needs are real life needs that need assistance like food, clothing, shelter. Those are "felt" needs. There are also physically, mental, emotional and spiritual needs. Let's look past how the person may be acting out as a result of their needs and try to help them with those needs. So that they may come to know Christ.

Our hearts should always be filled with His compassion. Then we will be able to see through His eyes. Then we will better understand what our neighbor, friend, church member, acquaintance, the homeless person, co-worker, single mom....anybody might be going through and see their need.

See "the need", move, and...

GET JOY!

See my friend's perspective on Chapter 14!

The picture is of my great grandma Clara. I love this shot of her; because you are wondering what she might be thinking.