Tuesday, February 18, 2014

John 19:25-27 -- On Looking Beyond Our Own Pain

"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."
John 19:25-27


I think that it is incredible that, while suffering on the cross, Christ took the time to think of and take care of his loved ones.  Perhaps this is a lesson in selflessness for all of us.  

We often get preoccupied with our own troubles and our own sufferings, worried about things that are natural and understandable to worry about.  Sometimes though, the best way to find happiness... to relieve the stress and the worry of our lives... is to forget it as we focus on helping and serving other people.  It gives us a feeling of accomplishment to feel that we've really helped someone... a shot of optimism, and it is a little easier to believe that the world can become better, and that we ourselves can become better.  

On the other hand, if we focus on our troubles, usually they just feel deeper and more overwhelming.  Today, let's get some perspective.  Let's find a way to look beyond our own pain and the tragedy of the moment, and maybe use our experiences and our empathy to help others.  Let's focus on the positive things, even if they are small.  Let's find the joy, and give to others, and make the world happier instead of staying in the sadness.

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