I’m not a hugger. Seriously, have you hugged me before? I become an instant ironing board, and I don’t know where to put my arms or head. I fear stepping on your toes or touching places I’m not supposed to touch. It’s ugly and likely awkward for those who enter into this dance with me.
Many of you are great huggers. I envy that part of you. I do. In fact, I try to mimic you, looking for cues from your body language and facial expressions for when it’s time to step forward, gain my balance, open my arms, and embrace something. Heaven forbid I tilt my head the wrong way and we collide or my hug is different than yours. It’s a very stressful three seconds for me.
I’m not great at showing empathy either. I feel it, but I just can’t seem to express it well. It does not come naturally to me. But for the Lord, hugging and other displays of compassion are instinctive. Easy. Inherent.
- Jesus wept. (John 11:35)
- And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20, Parable about God’s love for us)
- I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears… (2 Kings 20:5)
- I will ask the Father, and He will give you another encourager to be with you forever. The Spirit of truth. (John 14:16-17)
This is the lie that I want you to believe – that this hugging and encouraging stuff doesn’t come naturally to me. That way I won’t have to do it, or at least won’t have to do it often or well. See, I just wasn’t made for it. That is my argument anyway. Herein lies the problem: I have recently been convicted through a couple holy truths, and they may just turn the proverbial tables on top of stiff little ole me.
When I am struggling, one of my coping behaviors is to envision the Lord wrapping His arms around me in love and protection. Basically, it’s a strong hug. I picture myself running toward Him and melting into His lap when I reach the Kingdom of Heaven. I look forward to that time! And, in my toughest hours, I curl up in my closet and imagine God covering me with His massive feathered wings as He works to make everything good.
So, it seems to me that if those are my mental images to deal with difficulty, I must be created to hug and show other forms of affection. Why then, is it so hard for me to live it out with all of you? Well, I actually know the answer. I have put up my fancy heart-shaped walls and built up my tough-as-nails reputation over the years. I’ve learned how to act stoic and speak from a place of “confidence.” This is all part of whom I have become, crafted and molded by my experiences, temptations, personality, and struggles. Good, bad, or stupid – it’s what I’ve done.
Aside from being convicted during my prayers and in my times of struggle, there is another reason I have lost this particular lie battle … Scripture. God’s Word tells me that I no longer operate on my own. There is a Spirit-encourager within me that, if I allow, will permeate every part of me. The Holy Spirit will give me strength in my weakness, patience when I am fatigued, and the ability to show compassion when I’m moved by others’ hurts.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)
God with me. Immanuel
God is here. Jehovah Shammah
The God of Compassion. El Rachum
I am God’s temple. The old is gone. The new is here.
He loves, so I can love.
He shows compassion, so I may show compassion.
He hugs. Therefore, I hug.
This gives me true (a holy) confidence and can replace the fake self-confidence I tout around on most days. I’m being transformed from the inside out. The empathy and compassion I feel on the inside will start to seep through and be experienced by others. Look out, world. Soon, I’ll be the one initiating hugs.
I use this example partly in jest (just a tiny bit). Nevertheless, there is an important question here. One that’s worth asking: What name – character – of God do you wish to live out more as His holy temple? Which part of His Spirit could be poured out through you in greater quantity? What measure of God is worth fighting for despite your inequities and flaws?
El Shaddai – "God All Sufficient" or “Lord God Almighty”
Jehovah Baal Perez – "The Lord of Breakthrough"
Jehovah-Jireh – "God my Provider"
Jehovah-Rapha – "God my Healer"*
Prayer: Father God, You are El Rachum. And, because Your Spirit dwells in me, I must choose to become less so that You may become more. Lord, bless me indeed. Bless me with friends and family who will continue to teach me how to show Your compassion, to love, and even to hug. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Influenced by my prayer life, the Scripture references listed in the footer, and my desire to be a hugger.
*Extremely Partial List
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