Fight or Flight
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV
Better together - we hear it spoken all the time. We see it on hashtags, tattoos, bumper stickers, and signs. In our hearts, we know it to be true because God did not mean for us to do this life alone. He states that clearly in the Bible.
But what happens when life gets really hard? What happens when we walk through the valleys, face the unknown…or worse, we face the heartbreaking reality of the known? Everyone reacts differently to tragedy, bad news, or fear. They call it “fight or flight” for a reason. I tend to withdraw into myself as a form of protection, but that’s not what God wants us to do.
In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, it says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” God says it’s a pity to go through life alone. It’s a pity to withdraw from those who love you and want to help. It’s a pity to think that we would be better off without friends than to risk being hurt by them. It’s a pity…
There have been countless times in my life where I have gone through something that has all but broken me; and despite my best efforts to retreat, a friend has grabbed my arm to pull me back. They’ve demonstrated love wanting nothing in return, shown grace when I was being anything but gracious, and encouraged me to fight the wave of darkness that threatened to crash down.
I’m so thankful for those people. I’m so thankful for a God who doesn’t leave me stranded even when I’m trying to run away. He sends the right person just when I need them and gently soothes the wounded parts of my heart and soul.
God sees us. He hears us. He knows us and loves us. He knows exactly what we need: people. As jaded as we may have become from whatever hurt we may have faced, we still need others.
“ A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” - Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV
JOURNAL: What is your response to hurt, sadness, or fear: fight or flight? Why do you think that is?
ACTIVATION: Next time you face something that makes you want to put up an emotional wall, reach out to someone or allow someone to reach out to you. Embrace your emotions and lean into the friendships God provides.
Better together - we hear it spoken all the time. We see it on hashtags, tattoos, bumper stickers, and signs. In our hearts, we know it to be true because God did not mean for us to do this life alone. He states that clearly in the Bible.
But what happens when life gets really hard? What happens when we walk through the valleys, face the unknown…or worse, we face the heartbreaking reality of the known? Everyone reacts differently to tragedy, bad news, or fear. They call it “fight or flight” for a reason. I tend to withdraw into myself as a form of protection, but that’s not what God wants us to do.
In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, it says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” God says it’s a pity to go through life alone. It’s a pity to withdraw from those who love you and want to help. It’s a pity to think that we would be better off without friends than to risk being hurt by them. It’s a pity…
There have been countless times in my life where I have gone through something that has all but broken me; and despite my best efforts to retreat, a friend has grabbed my arm to pull me back. They’ve demonstrated love wanting nothing in return, shown grace when I was being anything but gracious, and encouraged me to fight the wave of darkness that threatened to crash down.
I’m so thankful for those people. I’m so thankful for a God who doesn’t leave me stranded even when I’m trying to run away. He sends the right person just when I need them and gently soothes the wounded parts of my heart and soul.
God sees us. He hears us. He knows us and loves us. He knows exactly what we need: people. As jaded as we may have become from whatever hurt we may have faced, we still need others.
“ A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” - Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV
JOURNAL: What is your response to hurt, sadness, or fear: fight or flight? Why do you think that is?
ACTIVATION: Next time you face something that makes you want to put up an emotional wall, reach out to someone or allow someone to reach out to you. Embrace your emotions and lean into the friendships God provides.
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