GET OVER IT!

How many times have we heard someone say, "Well, they just need to get over it?"  On occasion we may even have someone say to our face, "You just need to get over it!"  Why, just today I heard some Christians talking about how sometimes we need to tell people to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps" instead of patting them on the back and encouraging them to wallow in self-pity.  One had even shared how he recently told a co-worker going through a divorce she needed to "Get over it!"  I sat there stupefied.  That's what I do sometimes.  I sit there - caught like a deer in the headlights - bumfuzzled by the things people say.  I'm not sure how to react because maybe I have misunderstood them.  So, I go away and analyze what was said.  I must say, after mulling it over, I have trouble hearing Jesus tell anyone who is honestly hurting to "Get over it."  In fact, as I read Scripture I find Him compelling us to bring our hurts, our pains, our disappointments, our shattered dreams, our grief, our EVERYTHING to Him.  He tells us to "Cast our cares on Him because He cares for us."  (I Peter 5:7)  Jesus is a loving, compassionate God.  According to Isaiah 61, Jesus was sent to "to bring good news to the poor... to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.^"  Psalms 57:17 says He "will not reject a broken and repentant heart."  Throughout the Bible there is one story after another of people who face tests, trials, tragedies, and tribulations.  Did I miss God telling all those people to "Get over it?" 

For example, I see God hearing a worn-out, depressed prophet in I Kings 19, and answering his cry.  Elijah had just witnessed God literally rain down fire from Heaven, consuming not only a sacrifice, but the gallons upon gallons of water that had been heaped upon that sacrifice drenching it and pouring into the trench around the altar.  He expects Jezebel and Ahab will repent now that they have seen God perform this miracle.  They don't!  Jezebel claims she will kill Elijah!  So, even though he just witnessed this amazing miracle of God, Elijah sits down and cries out to the Lord to just end his life.  It's not a picture we like to see - the "man of God" depressed and asking the Lord to just take him out of this life.  If we had been with him on Mt. Carmel and then heard his depressing cry we may have been tempted to tell him, "Get over it!  Dude - Did you not just see what God did to that water logged sacrifice?"  I find it interesting that God did not say anything like that to Elijah.  He didn't condemn him for this low moment.  In fact, God let Elijah rest - and sent an angel to wake him and encourage him to eat.  Then God continued to deal with Elijah - eventually speaking to the prophet in a "still small voice" reminding him he was not the only one who served the Lord.  In fact, God even instructed him to take on Elisha as a help-mate.

Another fascinating story can be found in John chapter 11.  It's the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.  Read that story carefully.  I dare you!  :)   These two grief stricken sisters both said to the Lord, "If you had only been here..."  Wow!  That's bold!  To tell Jesus Christ, "Well, you picked a fine time to show up!  Our brother is dead now!  You could have prevented this!"  Do you not hear the pain and anguish in their voice.  They love Jesus.  They believe in Him.  Yet they are hurt and limited in their thinking to even fathom that He actually waited on purpose - so Lazarus would be dead and God could be glorified in the man's resurrection.  What does Jesus do?  Does He say, "You ladies are being way to dramatic!  You really need to get over it..."  No!  In fact, while He does try to explain to them that He is the resurrection, He knows they aren't getting it.  He goes to the tomb and does what - WEEPS!  Why?  He knew He would call Lazarus out of that grave!  Why weep?  Because He is "touched with the feelings of our infirmities..."  Whether mental, emotional, physical...  Whatever the source of pain and suffering, Jesus identifies with us!  He wept with and for those who were hurting at the loss of Lazarus!  I wonder if God was tempted to tell Jesus, "Aw, get over it Son!  And get on with the resurrection of Lazarus!"  I doubt it. 

Again, over and over in Scripture we see God calling to hurting people with His arms open wide!  Yes, He is straight forward with people about turning from sin and following Him.  Furthermore, He often reminds those who have been through the fiery trials of life of just Who He is...  No, He does not want us to wallow in self-pity!  He is the one who "lifts us from the miry clay!"  So please know I'm not saying He wants us to stay stuck in our pain and suffering.  He wants to take us through those things for His glory and our good.  The awesome thing about the Lord is that He will get in the muck and mire with us to pull us from those horrific places of life!  As Christians, we are to follow Jesus.  I think that means reaching out to those who are hurting with love and compassion, encouraging them, listening to them, being there for them.  Sometimes we do have to be honest and address tough issues with people.  However, God is clear about doing all things in love.  In ourselves, this can be a difficult thing.  However, with God, all things are possible.  His Holy Spirit knows the heart of God and He knows our hearts as humans.  If we aren't sure how to help someone who is hurting - maybe we should ask God to let His Holy Spirit give us the wisdom and the words to say.  He will!  He loves us! 

Again, I'm not saying I don't believe in "tough love."  Furthermore, I probably have told someone to "Get over it," before.  I distinctly remember one of my 6th grade students literally throwing a bawling crying fit because he had lost his pencil.  I don't know if I used the exact phrase - "Get over it!"  However, I do remember explaining to him that we are sixth graders and we don't cry over lost pencils.  At the same time, I hope I am sensitive enough to the needs of other people that when someone is truly hurting I can show them God's love and compassion, encouraging them that God can help them through even the most difficult times of life.