Comments on: More Gunk on the Windshield

By: Megan Lindsay

Megan Lindsay — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 04:58:15 +0000

Wow, what a powerful and painful reminder of how easy it is to splatter mud all over someone else’s windshield too! Thanks for reminding me to mind my tongue, and to be willing to help clean up any mess I make.

By: Becky

Becky — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:37:04 +0000

So how do you help a friend who is caught up in depression/bitterness with her situation? I have a friend in that situation whom I very much want to help, but whenever we talk, I feel like a swimmer being drug under by a drowning person. I seem to cheer her up a little, but afterward I’m left with my own struggle not to feel blue. I do pray for her, but wish that I could do more.

By: ladyrita

ladyrita — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:14:17 +0000

To the story Valerie told: misery hates a good memory!

By: Valerie (Kyriosity)

Valerie (Kyriosity) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:29:26 +0000

Oh, and it also works on others as well as on self. A friend of mine tells a story of a former neighbor who was constantly griping about her husband. At first my friend sympathized, and maybe even joined in the litany, but then she started saying things like, “Yeah, but I saw him helping you carry in the groceries the other day!” Pretty soon the neighbor wasn’t complaining any more…at least not to my friend!

By: Valerie (Kyriosity)

Valerie (Kyriosity) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:26:09 +0000

This reminds me of what Pastor Wilson says about the “fellowship of the grievance.” Whether it’s bitterness about something in the church or some other area of life, bitterness thrives when shared with others and fed by their bitterness. It amazes and humbles me that even though I’m aware of the toxicity of such sharing, I too often stumble in this area. The antidote is indeed thanksgiving, and I need to progress beyond the kindergarten of gratitude…starting with giving thanks to God that “He is kind to the unthankful and evil” (Luke 6:35)!