Lift Up Others’ Hanging Hands

Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; Hebrews 12:12

Take a minute and watch the people around you, maybe go over to the mall or the grocery store. Notice how few people are smiling, walking with a firm step full of life, standing up straight, looking people in the eye.

It is as if most people expect some secondary gain from looking miserable. Everybody is playing the victim role , “Poor me, my problems are worse than yours so somebody else should take care of me!”

When Hannah was moping over the fact that she did not have a child, her husband recognized that this would reflect badly on him. Other people would wonder whether he, the husband, was not meeting her needs or was treating her badly. I Samuel 1:8

The same is true when people, knowing we claim to be God’s children, the bride of Christ, observe us moping around and think, “What is the point of being a Christian, they look more miserable than everybody else?”

Our brains are wired so that, when we frown, it sends a signal into our emotional brain that we should feel miserable. This then sends a signal back to our face that we should frown more.

Others see our “victim” posture and rush to take advantage. It does not protect us or get others to help. It invites attack and abandonment. There is a reason the story of the boy who called “wolf” is so well known. We all know people who are always sickly and about to die and nothing turns out to be wrong. So, when they really are sick, no one pays attention anymore.

I need to remember that “I am not a victim, I am more than a conqueror through Jesus” Romans 8:37

What if the Lord always frowned and moped? He sure would be justified in doing so considering our behavior? We count on the “light of his countenance” to lift our spirits and give our life meaning. We need to do the same for others. Scowling at people when we see them is tantamount to murder! The Bible says that telling someone that they are a worthless failure is murder and scowling when we see them is saying volumes, negative volumes about their worth. We think that our scowling is just saying that we are miserable but it is saying things about our God and the supports of others. Also smiling at them is a ministry, it can make their day. So , lifting up my hands and combing my hair and smiling is a ministry to others who then can pass the smile on to others.

Psalm 42:11, Why are you cast down, all my soul? Why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God: For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God

Matthew 6: 16. When you fast, do not be a hypocrite and take on a sad face so that they look like they are fasting when they are not. I tell you, they have their reward. You instead need to wash your face, comb your hair. No looking miserable for extra credit.

Ecclesiastes 9: 7 Go your way, each your bread with joy, drink your wine with the merry heart, let your garments be always white: put oil on your head and comb your hair. Live jointly with and investing in the people in your life. And whatever you find to do, do with all your might. For a merry heart, works good better than a medication.

Ecclesiastes 2:25 There is nothing better than that I should make my soul enjoy working, for all labor comes from the hand of the Lord.

Lord help my ungrateful negative spirit to see and my face and body reflect:

1.What you have given me?/ Then enjoy and steward it

2.Who is in my life and what is good about them?/ Then love on them and give and receive from them.

3.What can I do?/ Then do it with all my might.

4. Where am I?/ Then help me to be where I am at and engage it.

5. When am I?/Then help me to live in the moment, instructed by the past, doing things relevant to the future.

6. Who am I?/ Then help me to develop, delight in, and give from my God-given strengths and receive with gratitude from others in my areas of weakness.