Let Him In Today

The issue: Personal Space

Personal space is the region surrounding a person which they regard as psychologically theirs. Most people value their personal space and feel discomfort, anger, or anxiety when their personal space is encroached. Permitting a person to enter personal space and entering somebody else's personal space are indicators of perception of those people's relationship. An intimate zone is reserved for close friends, lovers, children and close family members. Another zone is used for conversations with friends, to chat with associates, and in group discussions. A further zone is reserved for strangers, newly formed groups, and new acquaintances. A fourth zone is used for speeches, lectures, and theater; essentially, public distance is that range reserved for larger audiences. Entering somebody's personal space is normally an indication of familiarity and sometimes intimacy. However, in modern society, especially in crowded urban communities, it can be difficult to maintain personal space, for example when in a crowded train, elevator or street. Many people find such physical proximity to be psychologically disturbing and uncomfortable, though it is accepted as a fact of modern life.

Gripped by Grief

One of the symptoms of grief is the withdrawal from others…or retreating to your personal space. Grief is a natural and appropriate response to a the death of a loved one, and denial of your sorrow can do more damage than emotional suffering. The cup of pain does not pass only to the affected one, but is also shared with family and friends, for they too drink deeply from this cup. If you honestly and openly experience each stage of sorrow, you can know that in His time, God will heal your heart.

God wants to heal your heart

The Bible says: Psalms 34:18

Psalm 34:18 NASB95

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The word near is not to be thought of as being in the general vicinity; as some would say because we are in the same city: I am near you. On the contrary we should understand this word to mean: near, close, approaching, i.e., pertaining to being in close, or very close proximity to an object or person. In other words, God is invading your personal space today because He know that the closer he gets to you the more you begin to feel him. And I believe that’s what this family needs right now is a touch from the Master’s hand.

He is trying to invade your personal space today because he is aware of your broken heart. He knows brokenhearted, i.e., pertaining to having a feeling of discouragement Ps 34:18, Ps. 147:3

Psalm 34:18 NASB95

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 147:3 NASB95

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.

Conclusion: Let Him In

Biblical Counseling Keys on Death C. How Do You Know If You are Grieving?

When we initially experience a significant loss, we can plunge into depths of grief and have difficulty coming up for air. Then eventually, after we surface, we are simply treading water, not swimming toward a real destination. The reason is called grief. When you feel engulfed with grief, realize that you have a Deliverer who will keep you from drowning in the depths of despair.

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.”

(Psalm 18:16)

Tony Evans Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More Than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking Suffering

OYSTERS suffer affliction when they get a grain of sand lodged inside their shells. No matter what they do, they can’t get rid of it. The sand gets lodged there and it’s irritating to the oyster. It’s a thorn. It drives them crazy. To bring comfort to their anguish, they begin to coat the grain of sand over and over and over again. Coating the sand doesn’t get rid of it; it just comforts them.

Over time the coating of the grain of sand over and over again produces something that costs a mint. It’s called a pearl. Do you know what a pearl is? A pearl is the result of an irritated oyster. Out of that came something women place great value on.

The pain resulted in beauty. Their pain resulted in elegance. The pain results in something of high value. When God allows us to suffer, He is producing something precious.944