The caring heart

Have you ever tried to reach out to someone and its just bounced back right in your face? All you wanted to do was care and reach out in love but it was not accepted. In some cases it may have been accepted for a while and then abruptly rejected.

To have a caring heart is a virtue that should be protected. Proverbs 4:23 says ? ?Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.? (KJV).

But how do l guard my heart if it seems people are taking me for a ride? Matthew 9:12 grants us some words of wisdom in this respect

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

In other words, Jesus knew whom he was called along aside to help. A good principle that can be applied to many areas of our life.

A physician is a doctor and an example of a caring heart.
Sometimes in life people go thorough difficult times and need a caring heart / people to help them thorough those times. However after a sick person becomes well they no longer need the physician. At this point its time for the physician to find another sick person. Just as it is not wise for a physician to run after a person that is well, so also it may not be wise to keep on hanging onto a person that is now made whole.

Lets look at an example.
A person has just been divorced and needs someone to talk to. You are there day and night to speak to and comfort this person. Years go by and this person meets someone else and gets married. At this point, or even before then you may no longer be needed in the person?s life.

Of course, this may not always be the case, especially where you have developed a personal relationship. However if you have not, then its time to move on.

The challenge is the ability to recognize if you are in a person?s life just as a physician for a short period of time or whether you are to cultivate a more permanent relationship.

However I should state that many times people do appreciate those that have been there for them through difficult times and at least leave the communication line open. However, others just cut off and forget your labour of love.

As a doctor is called alongside sick people, so is a person with a caring heart called alongside those that are sick, broken hearted, needy or lonely. Nevertheless, once that gap has been filled and a personal relationship has not been developed, it may be time to move on.

So what is the answer?
Ask the Lord for wisdom. The Lord of the harvest is able to send others that need help along your way. The ability to pour out yourself to others is a virtue and should be protected. Don?t allow anyone frustrate this grace on your life.

Refuse negative responses or actions that may quench your passion for herein you have been called.

Posted 23 May 2006

Bisi Oladipupo