When All You Can Say Is, “Jesus”

OK, just so you know, mercy is not one of my predominant Spiritual gifts. Yes, the friends that know me well are laughing now. I really work on it. I do. But I’m a get up and shake it off kind of person emotionally.

I might, OK I do, whine and complain over physical aches and pains and I can sympathize with others through their physical battles. But deep emotional hurts leave me wordless. Only my best and closest friends and family have seen me go through the deepest and darkest emotional times in my life. Most of the time, I just cry in the privacy of my home and prayer closet. I just put on a happy face and fake it or leave if emotions take me in a place I don’t want to go.

But I’m learning how to come along side people who are in emotional pain and show Jesus’ mercy. Even though I hop up and shake it off in front of folks, not everyone can. Where I prefer to be alone in my grief, others need to be surrounded by loving friends and family.

It was a dear friend who taught me how to come alongside those who are hurting. She came alongside me. She didn't tell me what I already knew, that Jesus would heal my broken heart, or that I would get through this pain, or that I would feel joy again. I knew all of that but that didn't make the pain go away any quicker. She was just there not saying anything.  She was just there. She prayed with me every day. Sometimes she just prayed, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.” Just saying Jesus’ name over and over reminded me that in His name there is hope.

Bill and Gloria Gaither’s song words, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name.” would come to my mind.

In the New Testament:

At the name of Jesus people were healed.

At the name of Jesus demons fled.

At the name of Jesus people received Salvation.

The name of Jesus brings everything we know about His character, love, life, death, resurrection, power, and glory to our hearts and minds in a single moment.

To quote a women writer of the 1890's – “to pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works.”

“Jesus,” sometimes that’s all you have to say.

“Jesus,” sometimes that’s all you have to pray.

“Jesus,” sometimes that’s all you have to give someone who is hurting.

When all you can say is, “Jesus,”

It is enough.