Jess Stuart
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Non Helpful Phrases To Avoid And Why
||August 17, 2007|934 reads
 

To add a comment to "Non Helpful Phrases To Avoid And Why"
Jess Stuart
August 17, 2007
Phrase:
"Don't worry.  God has someone for you."

Why:
As a single person, I hear this often.  I find it isn't helpful because: 1) God my actually have no one for me.
2) I hear this most when I confide in a friend that I've been turned down, or I've experienced some other relational let down.  It may just be me, but I find it a little insulting to hear an empty platitude in response to my pain.

What:
"That's happened to me, too, and it isn't fun.  I feel for you.  God's still looking out for you."
marie rosario
August 17, 2007
< i don't regret what i said about you>
< the pharse is unremorsful and not christian like>
< "i am sorry" would have been alot better>
Mike n Laura
August 17, 2007
Good idea Jess.

Phrase: "Just pray about it."
Why: Like I haven't already done that! Also, trivializes my struggles.
What: "I'd like to pray about that with you. How have you been praying about it?"
Richard
August 17, 2007
Phrase: "You're not a total Loser."
Why: Cause the last guy I said that to went to work as a carnie and a traveling show and we aint heard from him since.
What: "Many guys your age still live with their parents; and MacDonalds will soon regret losing you."
Jess Stuart
August 17, 2007

Wow!  Thanks all, please keep them coming =D

Rich, I have to say I respect any man whose willing to admit a mistake. 

Sue
August 17, 2007

Phrase: "Well you know, all things work for the good for those that love the Lord?"  (This is one of my favorite verses, but used at the wrong time......
Why:  It didn't help because it didn't feel like a good thing to me!
What: "I can't imagine what you are going through, this must be most difficult.  But I will be praying for you, and you have my shoulder to lean on if you need it."

Jess Stuart
August 17, 2007
Phrase: "Just read your bible and pray, and everything will turn out Ok."

Why: I had just admited I was abuse by a relative growing up, and I was hurting.  I had accepted Jesus nearly 30 years previous to this particular conversation.  I had been reading and praying for most of that time.  I needed to understand the truth about why I was hurting, so I could know what I was forgiving the relative for.  I also just needed reasurance from people around me.  The gal who said this to me just kind of blurted it out and walked away.  I guess she just didn't know how to deal with the situation.

What: "I feel for you.", "I'm praying for you as you deal with that.", "Even Jesus was abused.  I'm sure He'll help you deal with this."

Just a Note: In the gospels, Jesus never gave this answer to anyone.
Lourdes Morales
August 17, 2007
Phrase: "I know how you feel"   .........NO YOU DON'T! 

Every heart and soul process hurt and emotions differently when in pain or trauma.  The situation may be the same, but the feelings and response can be totally different for some people.  SO, we should not say we know how the person feels.  Just say: "I might not be able to completely understand how you feel, but I want you to know "I care"  ;-) 
dave buckingham
August 17, 2007
I think myself I struggle to just deal with relationships so far taking time to pray with someone seems to be a good suggestion.  Of course when my feelings have really been hurt just about anything that'll help me let my guard down is worth while.  In other words I dunno???
Kathy
August 17, 2007
Phrase:  (similar to Sue's) "Everything happens for a reason" or "It's God's will."

Why:  It's used as a cliche answer, taking the place of listening and caring; and it's a man-made theology which many of us Christians don't believe.

What:
  Listen to my story, and respond with love.  Words are optional.

(Great blog idea Jess!  And thanks for the kind words!)
Debbye Hicks
August 17, 2007

phrase: If you don't like the way things are going here, then you need to move to another church!

Why: This has been said to me from a minister and his wife when a church that we were in split off because they decided to go to total cell groups...It divided the church in half...It wasn't that I wanted to go anywhere, or that I was looking to be confrontational, but I was really concerned about our church at the time. I was instantly shut down and left with the feelings of well Lord, what now?? Unfortunately over half the body left the church.

What: Should have said, we don't want you to leave... We value your family. God led you here, and maybe we need to talk about this. It bugs me that it's so easy to tell your brother and sister in Christ...go somewhere else if you don't like the way we run things here...I hate church politics, but where there is confusion, you know who is in the midst of it all. I respect and uphold our ministers, and was in no way telling them how to do their job, BUT they are not the only ones who have it cornered on hearing from God...We should value people and be inclusive, and let God do the weeding out...

 **I'm sorry, I know this sounds bitter, but it really gets next to me when I hear this...I feel disposable..

Debbye 

 

Jess Stuart
August 17, 2007

Thanks for all your responses! 

When I started this, I meant things I've told or heard from others.  I'm going to open it up to things I've told myself.

Phrase (more of an attitude): "I'm a monster because I'm weak to such and such sin."
Why: Satan's tools are stealing, killing and destroying.  Jesus was so gentle we wouldn't break a bent stick (Isa 42:3).
What: I just pray: "Jesus, this sin is bigger than me.  Please glorify Yourself by how You overcome it in my life."

Isaiah 42:3 

A bruised reed He will not break
  And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;
  He will faithfully bring forth justice.

Minister Abby
November 14, 2007

Wow, this is really a good post. So often people say things that really do make it worse. I've learned from single friends what to say and what not to say as comfort, so it's good to know what phrases really can hurt, or at the very least, don't help much.

I have two. 

Phrase: "You need to pray for God's timing."
Why:
When people say this, they seem to be assuming that I just jumped into the decision without thinking or praying, and that offends me. By the time I've decided to do something, I've already prayed, fasted, studied the Word, confided in my husband, and asked for prayer.
What: "Have you already prayed about it?" "How would you like me to pray for you?"

 

Phrase: "He's in a better place."
Why: When my father died 15 years ago, I heard this more times than I can count. I knew he was in a better place. I wasn't crying because I didn't know where he was. I was crying because I would not see him again until heaven. It made me feel like I wasn't supposed to mourn.
What: Just hug me. Let me know you love me and you're there for me. Remind me that one day he and I will dance around God's throne together in bodies that will never die.

 

Jess Stuart
November 14, 2007
Thanks for all the responses.