Proverbs 25:20

“Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.”

‘Singing songs’ is like one sharing bible verses and words of encouragement. It is with good intentions but to the one with the ‘heavy heart’ – the timing is wrong. 

Timing really matters. 

Paul reminds us to:

 “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:15‬

It is completely counter productive, inappropriate and out of touch to rejoice with those that are weeping 

This proverb compares it to removing a person’s coat that is designed to keep them warm on a cold day or mixing an acid with an alkaline and rendering it useless for the purpose it was intended. 

Jesus models this for us with Mary and Martha. Even though he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, he chose to step into and join them in their grief. He did not share Scripture or words of encouragement

He simply stood next to them and he wept. 

Prayer. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for this model of empathy and now grow me to better understand timing and how I can become a blessing to others.  In Jesus Name, Amen.