I am.

If you have it together, do not read this post. If you know everything and could never possibly make a mistake, this post is not for you. For the rest of us in the real world, hi.

My name is John. I am human. I am weak. I suffer. I fail.

I overeat when I'm depressed. I do not feel adequate in my career. I do not feel handsome. I am misunderstood, unappreciated, and unloved. I don't want to talk about where I came from, I don't like where I am, and I don't know where I'm going. Sticks and stones break my bones, and words will always hurt me. I sin, I lust, I am self centered. I am overworked and underpaid. People expect what I cannot deliver.

This is the human condition. You are not weird, or different. You are not any less able to cope with reality. The truth is, in this world, there is trouble. (John 16:33) Jesus doesn't mince words. How would you feel if just one person offered interest in your life? What if one person really cared? Maybe they don't understand the situation you're going through, but they really cared. They listened, and didn't judge. I'm willing to bet such a simple act could change your life. What if we decided to care about one person's pain? What if we decided to listen and not judge? What if we realized that we are all human and are all in this together?

One simple step. The next time you see someone in pain, doesn't matter if you know them, just ask them if they care to talk. If they don't, that's fine, at least someone cared enough to ask. If they do, great! LISTEN! DON'T JUDGE! It doesn't matter if you would respond differently, allow them to be human, just care!