April 4, 2024
Forenote:
Mr. Davis is a man who is paralyzed from his chest down. But he wasn't always this way. He once worked as an engineer coding robotics for surgeons and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 39. Despite a series of unfortunate events, David has developed a unique insight, wisdom, plus faith in God that will provide our readers hope when feeling hopeless. Love when feeling loveless. And strength when feeling weak. Mr. Davis will provide relaunched Echo readers with weekly shares that we encourage you to support by reading his gentle memoirs and thoughts of inspiration. To learn more about David Davis, please click the link. https://www.echonewstv.com/post/innervisions-with-mr-david-davis-march-2024-modes-and-meditation
Empathy Lies In The Mirror
Psychologists know that an essential part of empathy lies in mirror neurons; when we see another’s pain, our mirror neurons behave as if we were feeling that pain, hence “mirroring” the subject. It is through empathy that we become one with others through true understanding. This path to understanding must first begin within because, without self-comprehension, the universe will forever remain foreign. Martin Luther King once said that nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. Sometimes, we become so bent on saving others that we do more harm to them than good.
Despair While Hoping
When troubles assail us, we sink under the pressure. Right now, someone reading these words is sinking under the awful pressure of a situation that seems to be unsolvable. They are on the verge of total despair, hoping for even the briefest break from their trial. They have formed one plan after another, trying to devise ways out of their trouble, but all those arrangements have failed. Now they have nothing else to think of, no workable solution. They are at the end of it all.
How upsetting it is to see a ray of hope, a bit of sunshine, but then have despair once again set in. Keep in mind, David experienced the same struggles, and he was a man after God’s heart. David testified of having great trust in the Lord, yet he went through hard times, too, as he describes in this psalm.
Lift Up And Live
August 2019, I had a stroke do to my MS condition. Someone had to feed me until I decided to relearn how to feed myself. Lifting the special spoon to my mouth from my arm splint the first time, I felt humiliated as I smeared food on my clothes. But I pressed on. I said, “My secret is learning to lean on Jesus and say, ‘Oh God, help me with this!’ ” Today, I'm managing a spoon very well.
We all face different challenges throughout our days; and we all can look to Jesus moment by moment for help, strength, and peace. He will help us to hold back from snapping at our loved ones; He will give us the courage to do the next hard thing. Look to Him and find contentment.
Introspection
Has God’s Word ever come to you, pointing out an area of your life, requiring you to yield it to Him? Maybe He has pointed out certain personal qualities, desires, and interests, or possibly relationships of your heart and mind. If so, then you have often been speechless with sorrow. The Lord will not go after you, and He will not plead with you. But every time He meets you at the place where He has pointed, He will simply repeat His words, saying, “If you really mean what you say, these are the conditions.”
“Sell all that you have . . .” (Luke 18:22). In other words, empty yourself before God of everything that might be considered a possession until you are a mere conscious human being standing before Him, and then give God that. That is where the battle is truly fought— in the realm of your will before God. Are you more devoted to your idea of what Jesus wants than to Jesus Himself? If so, you are likely to hear one of His harsh and unyielding statements that will produce sorrow in you. What Jesus says is difficult— it is only easy when it is heard by those who have His nature in them. Beware of allowing anything to soften the hard words of Jesus Christ.
The Things That I Forget
It is not so much the things I do that causes me regret;
It’s the little things I leave undone, the things that I forget.
It’s the words I fail to utter, the songs I fail to sing,
The letters I forget to write, that may great comfort bring.
It’s the little acts of kindness, the joy I fail to give,
The smiles I fail to scatter, as day by day I live.
It’s the sick I fail to visit, flowers I fail to send;
It’s the hand I fail to offer unto a fallen friend.
It’s not so much the things I do that causes me regret;
It’s the little things I leave undone, the things that I forget.
