Paper Cuts, Band-aids, & People
It was just a paper cut. And boy, did it hurt.
Not a huge problem, though. Compared to other injuries I’ve suffered over the years, on a scale of one to ten, this didn’t even make it onto the scale. I covered the cut with some first-aid cream and a band-aid and went on with my day.
By Day 3, the cut still bled when touched and the area around it was inflamed and painful. I saturated it with hydrogen peroxide (ouch!), then continued to cover it with first-aid cream and a bandage.
This continued for another week without improvement. Albert Einstein has been quoted as saying “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I am living proof he was correct.
By Day 10, the skin around the fingertip had turned white from infection. A friend with a medical background called the area “angry.” Trust me, you don’t want any part of your body angry with you. She strongly recommended that I have a doctor take care of it. I finally did . . . two days later. Result: painful injections, cutting, and a prescription for antibiotics.
As I considered my painful finger, I wonder how many times I’ve behaved in a similar way with people. When others who are hurting share their pain, do I cover the problem with a few Bible verses, slap on a prayer band-aid and move on, leaving them with a festering, infected wound under the clean bandage?
When friends share their frustrations over various life challenges, do I slap on some “first aid” sympathy before sharing my own struggles? Or do I show sincere compassion for their frustrations?
There’s nothing wrong with sharing Scripture and prayer with hurting people. However let’s not do it in such a way that we become “hit and run” Christians. We can take the time to really listen and be present in the moment for others, or we can treat them like today’s “project,” only to shuffle them off tomorrow.
How will you respond the next time someone shares a hurt with you?
Thank you so much Ava for this precious reminder! Many times we took things and some divine connection for granted! What you mentioned about “ Hit & Run “ and that’s really so rightly phrased! God bless you deeply! May His wisdom and power be upon you continuously 🙏🔥☝️
So right on. How many times, when folks ask how we are, do we respond with “Fine.” because we don’t believe they really care. We must turn that around when we ask others how they are doing. Sometimes, we might need to ask twice so they realize we really do care. I love the “hit and run” picture and will remember it for a long time. Don’t want to go there. Thanks for sharing such a great devotion. (Hope your finger is all healed.)
This is a great reminder to truly listen and not rush through conversation. Sometimes we just need to listen without speaking. Sometimes we need to pray before speaking. 🙂
You’re making me squirm a little today. Great reminder to shift my focus to some real needs of people around me.
I”m wondering where we can continue with this metaphor. To truly “heal” the problem takes some cutting and additional pain. Are we, as Christians, able to confront an issue with a friend and as gently as possible, add to their pain in order to remove the infection?
I love this discussion! We need to be the safe place for the wounded to find healing. Wonderful analogy!
“Hit and run Christians,” what a great way to describe some. Like so much in life, if we can fix it in a few minutes, we drop it for something else. We need to learn to sit and be present with people in their suffering for as long as it takes. Thanks for sharing Ava.
So good and truly convicting. That phrase, “hit and run Christians,” really is provoking. Thanks, Ava!
I love how you turned that awful papercut that got infected into a lesson to teach us about avoiding the sprinkling of meaningless platitudes. How often do we do this? I have the spiritual gift of encouragement, but even I can become overwhelmed with the number of people in need of encouragement. I might say what I know is Biblically correct, encouraging them with uplifting words and even praying with and for them, but my heart may not be in it. I want my heart to ALWAYS be in it, but even encouragers grow weary, especially when they themselves are in need of encouragement, but no one seems to see.