Facing the Giant of Grief and LossPrøve

# Reach out and touch somebody ## ‘We all share the same Spirit.’ 1 Corinthians 12:13 NLT It’s easy to fall by the wayside and get run over without anybody ever noticing. You’re afraid to ask for help in case somebody questions your experience with God. Refuse to live that way! Not reaching out to your brothers and sisters in Christ can: a) keep you vulnerable to attack, b) cut you off from your supply lines. Paul says, ‘We were all given the one Spirit to drink’ (1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV). In wartime, enemies would lock their prisoners in ‘the hole’ for long periods. Without need for physical abuse, the darkness and isolation would break them down. Sometimes church can feel like a dark, isolated place; especially when you’re hurting and you don’t feel you can reach out for help. It’s filled with the greatest actors and actresses of our time. In fact, if Hollywood needed extras, they’d find them in the pews! God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone.’ Why? Because we’re communal by nature; we need to feel ‘connected.’ This applies not only to marriage and family, but to other close relationships too. We need people to talk to, laugh and interact with. When that doesn’t happen, we’re not strengthened by receiving, and others aren’t blessed by giving. A note of caution, however: a) never hold others in such high esteem that your fellowship becomes idolatry, b) never worship at the altar of their opinions in order to stay in their good graces, and c) never be intimidated into being anyone other than the person God made you. Having realised that, reach out – the help you need is available today. #### Prayer Point: Lord, help me to be honest about my weaknesses. It’s part of what it means to be human. Help me to be vulnerable with trusted friends so that we can laugh, cry, support and share what You are doing in our lives with each other. Lord, You have given each of us gifts for the common good. Don’t let pride or fear hold me back from sharing this blessing. Amen.