"You're too sensitive."
Boy, there's a statement I've heard all my life.
I've always had a soft heart – a heart that is easily wounded, that often feels sad, that empathizes with people too much – a heart that's too sensitive.
I've spent most of my life battling it, apologizing for it, trying to change it –
But, no more…
Why?
Because this is who I am – this is who God created me to be.
And I'm beginning to see that it's a privilege to have a sensitive heart.
God has been revealing new truth to me about this – and here's what I'm learning.
It's OK to feel sad when I am in a mall or a market or any place where there's a crowd of people – it's OK to feel sad about how many of them are lost and lonely.
It's OK to empathize with the elderly and the homeless and the addicted – it's OK to feel their personal prisons and their hopelessness.
It's OK to be wounded by the words and actions of others – it's OK to feel pained by the capacity for cruelty that lurks in the human heart.
It's OK to watch the news and cry – to see the world going mad and shed tears.
Darkness and pain, illness and disease, catastrophe and calamity – sad people are everywhere.
And everywhere there is sadness – there is sin.
How God must ache when He looks at our world – the world that He so lovingly created in perfection.
How it must hurt when He looks at humanity – the people that He so lovingly created in His perfect image.
How God must grieve.
God has a soft heart – a heart that is easily wounded, that often feels sad, that empathizes with people too much – a heart that's too sensitive.
And that truth taught me another one.
God created my heart, just the way it is…
He gave me the immense privilege of having a corner of His heart.
"[God] actually permits suffering to brim over into our lives. Yet this is not just any suffering but specifically the sufferings of Christ. What does this mean? It does not mean that we somehow complete what Christ failed to finish on the cross. The idea is, rather, that to identify with Christ is to identify with the suffering that was an essential part of his earthly ministry…Jesus taught his disciples--to wit, that all who would come after him must deny self, take up the cross and follow him (Mk 8:34). Suffering overflowed into Christ's life; suffering overflows into ours… both the gospel ministry and the lot of the Christian involve suffering." (From Bible Gateway)
My prayer:
Oh Lord, how thankful I am to be able to feel a little of what You feel. To look at Your world and Your people and feel sad over the way sin has wrecked everything. Thank you that I can be easily wounded, and that I can empathize with the plight of others. Thank you that my heart can be touched by suffering – that I am not hardened to pain. I am so grateful for the gift of sensitivity. Yes, it makes life harder, but it makes your gift of Life so much more meaningful. Thank you for Jesus, and the comforting truth that He understands it all. Amen.
"Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world."
(1 Peter 4:12-13)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God"
Hi Sharon -
ReplyDeleteGreat news that you embrace who you are. GOD designed us uniquely for the assignments that He has for us. Yes, indeed, be true to GOD's choice for your persona. As do others, I love your heart, precious, lady. Did you ask Marty?
You expressed, "Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world."
(1 Peter 4:12-13)"
Hearty Amens, Sharon - from the heart.
From one sensitive soul to another, I really appreciated this perspective this morning. To be honest, I have generally considered my sensitive soul to be more of a curse than a blessing. Until this morning, I never considered that the "curse" label was very probably put on it by others with the careless dismissal or condemnation of being "too" sensitive.
ReplyDeleteMY prayer is that a mighty God can erase the tapes that play with counterfeit messages with the TRUTH of his word. It's not only OK to feel deeply, it is to have a heart like His.
Of course, how I respond to my sensitive heart needs to be taken captive to Him as well.
Great post, Sharon.
Thank you so much...I have heard this all my life also, as if it was a trait I needed to correct. I too, maybe it is something about 50, have come to terms with the fact God made me that way. I have started to receive my heart.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much...great post, and may I be captivated by Him and not allow the enemy to bring undo sadness to my heart, but only enter into the sufferings that the Lord allows for me to grief over.
Thanks...just a great post
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. You will know how much I can relate to it.
God Bless - Nita.
Even though it is painful sometimes, as we see the sufferings of the world, it is a wonderful gift God gave us who are sensitive, to see the world through his eyes and to strive within our own confines to try to make it a better place and to get his message out.
ReplyDeletebetty
AMEN and blessings Sharon, Reading this from the same accusation of "being too sensitive" and I came to terms with it long ago as who I am and that compassion has drawn me to where I am.
ReplyDeleteI have often asked myself the same:
"How God must ache ... How it must hurt when He looks at humanity – the people that He so lovingly created in His perfect image...
How God must grieve.God has a soft heart – …
and He created US the same, but many have hardened and it is up to us to make them tender once again... and open to Jesus and God's Word.
I so love when you write from the heart and God's but this struck a profound cord deep inside me...
He gave me the immense privilege of having a corner of His heart.
So I will no longer wonder why I hurt, grieve, or "feel" so sensitively and empathetically.
That is the one part of God already chiseled and carved in me, forming me into His image. All of this taken captive to Him and His heart and will. Any suffering only makes me more aware of the suffering of others but mostly Jesus Christ.
I am humbled to know that what others saw in me as a frailty, really is a gift and privilege from God. But it doesn't surprise me... looking forward to the JOY!!!
Thanks Sharon for sharing your vulnerability and sensitive heart. This is what draws us to one another...
Love and peace,
Peggy
I love your new sophisticated button... just right! I love coming here as often as I can.
Oh my GOODNESS - if there was anything I was criticized for from little on - from hubby - and my kids - were the words "You are too sensitive". I hated those words for so long. I just can't begin to tell you. Then God gave me a gift and let me realize that God made me this way - he doesn't make junk - and that I am okay the way I am - and maybe the others aren't sensitive enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is probably one of the words most used
ReplyDeleteto describe me. I am very sensitive and not
ashamed of it anymore like I used to think
I should be. I find sensitive people are
those who care deeply and love freely. It's
better than being cold and unfeeling.
Hugs,
Sandy
Wonderful post Sharon, It is good to be sensitive and have our heart break for others who are suffering. God is working in us through it.
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Ken
Sandra - Thank you. And yes, I asked Marty - he says he loves me JUST the way I am! No greater privilege than to be yoked with Jesus!
ReplyDeleteDebbie - I couldn't have said it any better. Yes, I am also asking God to erase the tapes that others have recorded, and to prevent the enemy from playing them over and over again. I'm just not going to believe them anymore.
Janette - I'm so glad you enjoyed this. I liked how you put it - being captivated by Him. To me, that is the secret. Letting HIM define who I am, and embracing what HE sees in me. He put it there intentionally, after all - and for a purpose.
Nita - Yes, dear one, I know. You are one of the most sensitive people I know, and I just LOVE you for it. So does God...
Karen - Thank you for visiting my blog. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hope you stop by again sometime - and I will come visit you soon.
Betty - Oh, amen to all you said! Yes, it is the sensitivity that allows us to see pain, and to not be comfortable unless we do something about it. That is sharing God's heart, and it is a calling, not a curse.
Peggy - Yes, I was immediately drawn to your sensitive heart. And it is why we have an affinity that we don't have to explain to each other. I love this that you said: "I am humbled to know that what others saw in me as a frailty, really is a gift and privilege from God." Oh, yes! To claim what others label as a weakness as a God-given strength, yielded to His power working through it. THAT is JOY!
Sandie - I am saying YES! I so know what you're talking about! And I have to say that I also think other people could learn a thing or two about being MORE sensitive! It's a good thing - as long as God works through it.
Sandy - Care deeply and love freely. I love how you worded that. This is true in my opinion. I have also discovered that a sensitive heart is also well-tuned to hear the Lord's voice, and to experience the unique joy of His close presence.
Ken - Thank you. It is a good thing to have our hearts break for others. It is a sad and lonely world - and we have to feel the "lostness" so we can tell others the very Good News we know.
GOD BLESS!