Why do we like talking about our problems?

The other day I was having lunch with a dear lady. As we were rounding up, I looked through the huge windows that allowed light to pour into this almost Parisian style café in Florida. My attention was drawn to a lady who was looking so sad and very tearful. I watched as she intermittently gave in to bouts of tears. I looked at her; tried looking away so as not to be caught prying into someone else’ misfortune. But I found that I kept going back, looking and praying for her under my breath. She was talking with a man. He did not seem to be doing her any good. She was inconsolable.

I decided to walk over to where they were seated. I did not want to crash this party of sadness, but I knew someone who could make her life better. I gingerly walked over to them and politely asked if she was okay, and if I could pray with her. Her eyes were puffed up by now, and she was blowing into a tissue with some rue. The man looked up at me with these vacant eyes, ‘We just want to be left alone. We are talking.’ Of course that was it! I asked her name and told her we would be praying for her. My offering was obviously unexpected. People don’t just come up to you and ask if you are okay; let alone pray for you! People usually don’t pay attention; or are afraid of being rebuffed. People are so careful taking care of their hearts that they refuse or are unwilling to expose themselves to any form of rejection. And yet I needed to ask; maybe just in case, she would have said yes!

However just as the woman I was with had uttered, ‘people like talking about their problems, rather than do something about it.’ I agreed with her. People would spend years and money visiting a counselor; a therapist; they would talk and talk and talk about the problem; which never seems to go away! People have gotten used to talking about their woes; they refuse to bring it to Jesus who can destroy the yoke. We are not to carry yokes, Jesus said. He implored us to exchange our yokes with His. His yoke is light. It is not heavy. Give the heaviness to God. And yet many of us refuse; we keep carrying this heavy load around, and talk about how heavy it is. Next time you find yourself talking about your problems, ask yourself, ‘Why don’t I give this problem today to Jesus Christ?’ Turn to prayer rather than talk about your pain. Don’t not hold long conversations with your friends about yours and their problems. You will be best served giving those problems to God; and you would find Him faithful to relief your pain.

Linda Faith

Linda faith is the editor of Jewels Magazine. She co-pastors along with her husband Revival Worship Church, Tampa. She is a prolific writer and powerful speaker, inspiring many women to be all God has called them to be. She is the founder of Joy Women’s conference which reaches out to empower, inspire and motivate women in their faith walk.