I Can't

I just can't think like that.

 

We’ve all experienced heartache and disappointment.

We’ve all been abused or abandoned or ignored.

We’ve all been disadvantaged, disenfranchised, or disrespected.

But why do some so fiercely embrace the status of “victim”?

 

I don’t understand why folks cling to their tragedy.

Why do some display it prominently like a trophy?

It must be mentioned at every opportunity…

But why? We’ve all suffered and survived!

 

Some of the old songs we sing in church remind us...

We must suffer for Him, or we must endure horrible hardships...?

But those sad old songs have always confused me.

I have never suffered with God like I did without Him.

 

Life isn’t fair, it just isn’t. But it isn’t over either.

They say “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger”...

I believe that and I see it every day.

We all have reason to thank God for life!

Author's Note

I knew this was going to be a slippery slope.
Everybody needs a hand up every now and then, a little help. I'm no exception. But what I don't understand is why some folks cling to their adversity. This was inspired by someone I met once who immediately pointed out to everyone she met that she was a survivor of spousal abuse from years before. Now I'm no proponent of spousal abuse, but maybe that's a conversation folks could save for later when making new acquaintances...
He later added:
I'm not sure what compelled me to post this, let alone write it. Well, in truth, I am sure... but that's another story.
I'm just afraid it sounds rather cold and uncaring on the first read. Hopefully what I was trying to convey comes through louder and clearer than what the piece seems to be on the surface.
Without compassion and caring for others, we are nothing at all. Yet we are expected to keep going, to not sit down in the face of adversity, ya know?

Reviews

[Prose-full]

i like this..sounds very genuine..
"I have never suffered with God like I did without Him"-----my absolute favorite line..
it is so very true..and i refuse to do anything without Him....
great write..very intriguing write...
before i submit,
"the old songs we sing in church remind us
We simply must suffer for Him� we must endure horrible hardship.
But those sad old songs have always confused me"----this was truly brilliant..

be well my brother of the pen..and faith..
be well..and thank you for reviewing my read "ve"
great to have run across your side of the cafe..

[Christel Grady]

While I'm not a huge fan of organized religion, I totally agree. I often wish people would just quit complaining & get over it! If we as a society remain fixated on the past, then the past is where we will stay. Thank you for sharing your opinion. Great style!

[Caitbabie008]

nice write!

[Carole]

This is very true, AK but some need a helping hand to get over that hump-and to change the mind set so they can go on to brighter days. Not saying everyone will embrace the encouragement and the lift, but many do. I find that I must reach into where they are, (even if in the pit), and give them a hand up. I have been ministering to a homeless lady & working to get her into subsidized housing. (She's in a motel at present...on a very meager SS) Ministering life through God's word, and who He is and how He views her and her situation has brought incredible LIFE to her. And of course, I do not take credit for it....It is all God-I am but a vessel of His love. Within a matter of a month, she is already a very different person. Her countenance has changed...her speech has changed...she is now asking to pray for me! Can you believe it?

People that don't know God can't embrace not having the victim mentality, at least not right away-and especially if it's all they've ever known.... It's not all that easy. Maybe it's different for me because I wasn't in church all of my life...and I didn't get saved until 8 years into my marriage. Thank God for those that were willing to get down where I was, in the pit of life and minister to me. It is because of God in them, that I am now serving the God of all Creation.

Love your choice of wording in this poem: disadvantaged and disenfranchised and disrespected-Another wonderful, write...Blessings, Carole

[forfila]

Yeaaaaaa,, I love this and will favor it :)