Screaming on the Inside

Don't be deceived, even though someone is smiling, and laughing, it doesn't mean that they are not screaming on the inside. Screaming and hoping someone will see beyond the smile and the laughter, see beyond the front that they put up to make everything look ok. Sometimes those people are just hoping someone will hear them screaming on the inside and comfort them. Not making them feel guilty for hurting, not making it seem like a much smaller matter, not playing it down, not trying to act like they understand, not trying to preach at them about why they shouldn't feel this way, not just dismissing the hurt, not just stating that everything is going to be ok, just trust, don't feel sorry for yourself, you can rise above, there is always someone worse off than you.... but just comforting. Sometimes someone just needs a hug, or someone to say, "I can't imagine how you feel, it must be rough, these are my experiences with something similar, and I struggled... I struggled alot, but this is what I learned through the struggle." Sometimes someone just wants someone to talk to, someone who will take the TIME and have the care and concern to listen, and listen with a kind, caring ear, not judging. Sometimes someone just wants to know they are important enough to someone to take a little extra time to listen, otherwise they would rather the person not really bother to ask if they can't be bothered to really take the time to know. Sometimes someone just needs someone to lift them up in prayer. Sometimes someone just needs someone to at least try to put themselves in their shoes to try to understand what they are going through, when someone cares enough to do that, it makes it much easier to hear what things the Lord may be giving them to share with the one who is hurting. Sometimes someone just needs to be refreshed. That someone would be more than willing to do that for others, and maybe many times does. Don't miss the opportunity to do the same because of being too busy, too spiritual, or too quick to judge. Sometimes somone just needs to know they are not alone, not that they don't know that the Lord is always there, but having someone here on earth to be there and care as well. Sometimes those who are screaming on the inside are hesitant to share because of certain responses they got before that were hurtful. Sometimes someone just needs to hear that they are not unspiritual for being down, for hurting, or for voicing their doubts, fears, and disappointments, let them....and then just show you care. Sometimes someone just needs that!
Lord, help each of us to be aware of those who are screaming on the inside and just need someone to care....someone to be real (not perfect), and to take the time to listen, and not judge, but to really see someone who may be really hurting and just be there to help and encourage.