Are we sensitive to those around us?

This is a question I've been asking myself lately.  And let's face it, most of us wish those around us would ask themselves the same question.  We've all been through some hard stuff in our life.  We know how it feels to not be understood and feel alone.  We can relate when we see a person's confidence crushed by a hurtful comment or gesture someone makes...even if it was said/done in a joking manner.  Many of us know how it feels to cry ourselves to sleep at night.  We've tried so hard to fight our fears and doubts on a long day only to get up the next morning and do it all over again.  The list could go on and on.  

So I ask myself and those of you reading this, if we can relate so much why do we let the cycle continue?  Why do we sit back and watch it happen over and over again?  Could it be lack of confidence?  Maybe we think we're going through too much to be there for anyone else.  Have you ever thought, "maybe I won't say the right thing" or "maybe they will pour their heart out and I won't have any answers for them."  Maybe it's because we are too selfish and prideful, "what if they want me to pray for them right then and there and I won't have time or maybe I'll have time but 'so-and-so' watching will think I'm crazy" or "they're a Christian...they should be able to get through this if they're really trusting God."  I've been guilty of these thoughts on many occasions.  But then I think about Jesus and His ministry here on earth.  Did He hold back when the devil told Him He didn't have what it took?  Did He care about what others around Him thought?  Did He say He was too busy with "God's work" to help someone in need?  Of course not.  He came for the "least of these" the Bible said.  He also created us to be in relationship with Him and each other.  

We hear about Christians (sometimes even leaders in ministry) that fall into depression or worse.  Now I don't know what kind of people they had around them but it makes me wonder if anyone saw the hints that their faith was growing weak.  Or maybe they were just too busy with their own life to notice.  

Now my point in writing all of this is not to put anyone down or falsely accuse their intentions.  I know some people even with help at their fingertips still choose to go the other way.  I only hope to encourage us to search our own hearts and ask ourselves "am I reaching out today?"  It doesn't take a theologian to encourage someone.  Sometimes all it takes is giving someone a hug or saying "are you doing alright friend?" or "I'm praying for you, everything's going to work out" or inviting them to coffee or calling during the week to check on them.  We don't have to have all the answers...in fact most of the time that's not what we want to hear anyway when we're going through something.  We don't have to be in a perfect place in our lives either or have everything going for us to help someone.  Actually, that can be more discouraging than encouraging.  Sometimes it's the ones that are going through the most that can be the greatest encouragement to others.  Sometimes they just need someone to listen and know they are not alone.