NOT FEELING WELL?

April 4, 2006

Throwing up is one of those things you hate doing, but afterwards you're glad you did it!

THINK ABOUT IT

Not doing so well?

Throw up! You'll feel better.

pictures courtesy images.google.com

TAKE A LOOK

Matthew 5:4 - (NLT)

⁴God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Matthew 11:28 - (NLT)

²⁸Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

WHAT DOES TODAY'S SCRIPTURE HAVE TO DO WITH THROWING UP?

Even though Jesus wasn't talking about "throwing up" in His Sermon On The Mount, this is a great visual to help us understand God's blessing on those who "mourn".

First of all, being "blessed" by God means more than happiness. It means that in spite of the circumstances of life, we can find hope and joy through following Jesus, no matter what.

Secondly, the word "mourn" in the original Greek (the language that the NT was written in) means to grieve, to sorrow; an external expression of an internal reality.

There you go....throwing up is the external expression of your internal reality (there's something bad inside of you that needs to get out)! You might dread it and find that it's a little painful, but oh how you feel better afterwards.

It is so sad that people who are sad, hurt, and discouraged never show it or share it. They are sad, but they don't "mourn". Since they don't "throw up", they don't get blessed with God's comfort. People who don't share what is troubling them on the inside won't experience comfort from others. IS THIS YOU?

Perhaps you're afraid to "mourn" with others, because you're afraid what they'll think. Maybe you feel your situation is hopeless. Or you've tried this before and it didn't work. Hang in there! Go ahead and "puke" with Jesus. He can handle it. Did you see what He promises in Matthew 11:28?

Jesus will give you His comfort when you mourn with Him. He'll lead you to someone you can "throw up" with. That's part of being His Body.

HERE'S THE FLIPSIDE - ARE YOU READY TO COMFORT SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO "THROW UP"? That's part of being His Body.

TALK ABOUT IT

Thank Jesus for His promise to meet our needs when we come to Him. Let Him know right now what's troubling you. Ask Him give you the courage to talk to someone about your hurt, your discouragement, your questions. Thank Him for giving you His comfort and for the opportunity to bring comfort to someone else.

TRY IT

Talk to someone this week about what's going on inside of you.
Pray for Jesus to prepare you to give comfort to someone who is hurting.
Memorize today's scriptures as a reminder of how to handle that "sick" feeling.
See if you remember today's scripture the next time you throw up. Or the next time you are with someone who throws up...share today's Devo...but wait till they feel better!

ABOUT IT

DAILY DEVOS is brought to you by Youth for Christ. Youth for Christ works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Byron Emmert Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.